Novel potassium channel molecules and uses therefor

ABSTRACT

The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated ERG-LP nucleic acid molecules, which encode proteins involved in potassium channel mediated activities. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing ERG-LP nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which an ERG-LPgene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated ERG-LP proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-ERG-LP antibodies. Diagnostic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The fundamental function of a neuron is to receive, conduct, and transmit signals. Despite the varied purpose of the signals carried by different classes of neurons, the form of the signal is always the same and consists of changes in the electrical potential across the plasma membrane of the neuron. The plasma membrane of a neuron contains voltage-gated cation channels, which are responsible for generating this electrical potential (also referred to as an action potential or nerve impulse) across the plasma membrane.

[0002] One class of voltage-gated cation channels are the voltage-gated potassium channels (Kv). These include: (1) the delayed potassium channels, which repolarize the membrane after each action potential to prepare the cell to fire again; (2) the early potassium channels, which open when the membrane is depolarized and act to reduce the rate of firing at levels of stimulation which are just above the threshold required for firing; and (3) the calcium-activated potassium channels, which act along with the voltage-gated calcium channels to decrease the response of the cell to an unchanging prolonged stimulation, a process called adaptation. In addition to being critical for action potential conduction, the voltage-gated potassium channels also play a role in neurotransmitter release. As a result of these activities, voltage-gated potassium channels are important in controlling neuronal excitability (Hille B., Ionic Channels of Excitable Membranes, Second Edition, Sunderland, Mass.: Sinauer, (1992)).

[0003] There is a suprising amount of structural and functional diversity within the voltage-gated potassium channels. This diversity is generated both by the existence of multiple genes and by alternative splicing of RNA transcripts produced from the same gene. Nonetheless, the amino acid sequences of the known voltage-gated potassium channels show similarity. The Drosophila SH locus was the first potassium channel structural gene to be isolated (Kamb A. et al. (1987) Cell 50: 405). Since then, a number of additional potassium channel genes have been cloned from Drosophila and other organisms (Baumann A. et al. (1988) EMBO J. 7: 2457). One of these genes is the X-linked EAG locus, which was originally identified in Drosophila on the basis of mutations that cause a leg-shaking phenotype (Kaplan W. D. et al. (1969) Genetics 61: 399). Electrophysiological studies revealed that EAG mutations caused spontaneous repetitive firing in motor axons and elevated transmitter release at the larval neuromuscular junction (Ganetzky B. et al. (1985) Trends Neurosci. 8:322). The striking hyperexcitability of EAG mutants demonstrates the importance of EAG channels in maintaining normal neuronal excitability in Drosophila (Ganetzky B. et al. (1983) J. Neurogenet. 1: 17-28).

[0004] EAG, along with m-EAG, ELK, and h-ERG define a family of potassium channel genes in Drosophila and mammals. A distinctive feature of the EAG/ERG family is the homology to cyclic nucleotide binding domains of cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channels and cyclic nucleotide-activated protein kinases (Kaupp, U. B. et al. (1991) Trends Neurosci. 14: 150-157). However, unlike the vertebrate cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channels, which are relatively voltage-insensitive, activation of EAG/ERG channels shows a very steep voltage dependence (Robertson, G. et al. (1993) Biophys. J 64: 430). In addition, whereas cyclic nucleotide-activated cation channels show little selectivity among monovalent and divalent cations, eag is strongly selective for K⁺ over Na⁺. The EAG/ERG family may thus be an evolutionary link between voltage-activated potassium channels and cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channels with intermediate structural and functional properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery of novel ERG potassium channel family members, referred to herein as “ERG-like proteins” (“ERG-LP”) nucleic acid and protein molecules. The ERG-LP molecules of the present invention are useful as targets for developing modulating agents to regulate a variety of cellular processes. Accordingly, in one aspect, this invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding ERG-LP proteins or biologically active portions thereof, as well as nucleic acid fragments suitable as primers or hybridization probes for the detection of ERG-LP-encoding nucleic acids.

[0006] In one embodiment, an ERG-LP nucleic acid molecule of the invention is at least 28%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or more homologous to the nucleotide sequence (e.g., to the entire length of the nucleotide sequence) shown in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______, or a complement thereof. In another embodiment, an ERG-LP nucleic acid molecule of the invention is at least 42%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or more homologous to the nucleotide sequence (e.g., to the entire length of the nucleotide sequence) shown in SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______, or a complement thereof. In another embodiment, an ERG-LP nucleic acid molecule of the invention is at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or more homologous to the nucleotide sequence (e.g., to the entire length of the nucleotide sequence) shown in SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______, or a complement thereof.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the isolated nucleic acid molecule includes the nucleotide sequence shown SEQ ID NO:1 or 3, or a complement thereof. In another embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule includes SEQ ID NO:3 and nucleotides 1-112 of SEQ ID NO:1. In another preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule has the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1 or 3. In another preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule includes a fragment of at least 949 nucleotides of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, or a complement thereof.

[0008] In another preferred embodiment, the isolated nucleic acid molecule includes the nucleotide sequence shown SEQ ID NO:4 or 6, or a complement thereof. In another embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule includes SEQ ID NO:6 and nucleotides 1-214 of SEQ ID NO:4. In yet another embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule includes SEQ ID NO:6 and nucleotides 1844-2694 of SEQ ID NO:4. In another preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule has the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:4 or 6. In another preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule includes a fragment of at least 307 nucleotides of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, or a complement thereof.

[0009] In another preferred embodiment, the isolated nucleic acid molecule includes the nucleotide sequence shown SEQ ID NO:7 or 9, or a complement thereof. In another embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule includes SEQ ID NO:9 and nucleotides 1-262 of SEQ ID NO:7. In another preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule has the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:7 or 9. In another preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule includes a fragment of at least 1114 nucleotides of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or a complement thereof.

[0010] In another embodiment, an ERG-LP nucleic acid molecule includes a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein having an amino acid sequence sufficiently homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:8, or an amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______. In a preferred embodiment, an ERG-LP nucleic acid molecule includes a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein having an amino acid sequence at least 37%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or more homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:8, or the amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______. In another preferred embodiment, an ERG-LP nucleic acid molecule includes a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein having an amino acid sequence at least 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or more homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 or the amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encodes the amino acid sequence of human or monkey ERG-LP1. In yet another preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule includes a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO:8, or the amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______. In yet another preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule is at least 387 nucleotides in length and encodes a protein having an ERG-LP1 activity (as described herein). In yet another preferred embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encodes the amino acid sequence of human ERG-LP-2. In yet another preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule includes a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5 or the amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______.

[0012] Another embodiment of the invention features nucleic acid molecules, preferably ERG-LP nucleic acid molecules, which specifically detect ERG-LP nucleic acid molecules relative to nucleic acid molecules encoding non-ERG-LP proteins. For example, in one embodiment, such a nucleic acid molecule is at least 949, 950-1000, 1000-1050, 1050-1100 or more nucleotides in length and hybridizes under stringent conditions to a nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1, the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______, or a complement thereof. In preferred embodiments, the nucleic acid molecules are at least 15 (e.g., contiguous) nucleotides in length and hybridize under stringent conditions to nucleotides 1082-1100, 1258-1289, 1336-1343, 1404-1430, 2190-2428, or 3107-3355 of SEQ ID NO:1. In other preferred embodiments, the nucleic acid molecules comprise nucleotides 1082-1100, 1258-1289, 1336-1343, 1404-1430, 2190-2428, or 3107-3355 of SEQ ID NO:1.

[0013] In another particularly preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule comprises a fragment of at least 307, 350-400, 400-450, 450-500 or more nucleotides of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, or a complement thereof. In preferred embodiments, the nucleic acid molecules are at least 15 (e.g., contiguous) nucleotides in length and hybridize under stringent conditions to nucleotides 1-29, 442-621, 755-1013, 1170-1246, or 1463-1651 of SEQ ID NO:4. In other preferred embodiments, the nucleic acid molecules include nucleotides 1-29, 442-621, 755-1013, 1170-1246, or 1463-1651 of SEQ ID NO:4.

[0014] In other preferred embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule encodes a naturally occurring allelic variant of a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or an amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______, wherein the nucleic acid molecule hybridizes to a nucleic acid molecule comprising SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:3 under stringent conditions. In yet other preferred embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule encodes a naturally occurring allelic variant of a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 or an amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______, wherein the nucleic acid molecule hybridizes to a nucleic acid molecule comprising SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:6 under stringent conditions. In other preferred embodiments, the nucleic acid molecule encodes a naturally occurring allelic variant of a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8 or an amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______, wherein the nucleic acid molecule hybridizes to a nucleic acid molecule comprising SEQ ID NO:7 or SEQ ID NO:9 under stringent conditions.

[0015] Another embodiment of the invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule which is antisense to an ERG-LP nucleic acid molecule, e.g., the coding strand of an ERG-LP nucleic acid molecule.

[0016] Another aspect of the invention provides a vector comprising an ERG-LP nucleic acid molecule. In certain embodiments, the vector is a recombinant expression vector. In another embodiment, the invention provides a host cell containing a vector of the invention. The invention also provides a method for producing a protein, preferably an ERG-LP protein, by culturing in a suitable medium, a host cell, e.g., a mammalian host cell such as a non-human mammalian cell, of the invention containing a recombinant expression vector, such that the protein is produced.

[0017] Another aspect of this invention features isolated or recombinant ERG-LP proteins and polypeptides. In one embodiment, the isolated protein, preferably an ERG-LP protein, includes at least one transmembrane domain. In another embodiment, the isolated protein, preferably an ERG-LP protein, includes a P-loop. In another embodiment, the isolated protein, preferably an ERG-LP protein, includes a cyclic nucleotide-binding domain. In another embodiment, the isolated protein, preferably an ERG-LP protein, includes at least one transmembrane domain, a P-loop, and a cyclic nucleotide-binding domain. In a preferred embodiment, the protein, preferably an ERG-LP protein, includes at least one transmembrane domain, a P-loop, and a cyclic nucleotide-binding domain, and has an amino acid sequence at least about 25%, 30%, 35%, 37%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or more homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:8, or the amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______. In another preferred embodiment, the protein, preferably an ERG-LP protein, includes at least one transmembrane domain and plays a role in generating an electrical potential across a plasma membrane, e.g., a neuronal plasma membrane or a muscle plasma membrane. In another preferred embodiment, the protein, preferably an ERG-LP protein, includes at least one P-loop and plays a role in generating an electrical potential across a plasma membrane, e.g., a neuronal plasma membrane or a muscle plasma membrane. In another preferred embodiment, the protein, preferably an ERG-LP protein, includes at least one cyclic nucleotide-binding domain, and plays a role in generating an electrical potential across a plasma membrane, e.g., a neuronal plasma membrane or a muscle plasma membrane. In another preferred embodiment, the protein, preferably an ERG-LP protein, includes at least one transmembrane domain and a P-loop, and plays a role in generating an electrical potential across a plasma membrane, e.g., a neuronal plasma membrane or a muscle plasma membrane. In another preferred embodiment, the protein, preferably an ERG-LP protein, includes at least one transmembrane domain and a cyclic nucleotide-binding domain, and plays a role in generating an electrical potential across a plasma membrane, e.g., a neuronal plasma membrane or a muscle plasma membrane. In another preferred embodiment, the protein, preferably an ERG-LP protein, includes at least one P-loop and a cyclic nucleotide-binding domain, and plays a role in generating an electrical potential across a plasma membrane, e.g., a neuronal plasma membrane or a muscle plasma membrane. In another preferred embodiment, the protein, preferably an ERG-LP protein, includes at least one transmembrane domain, a P-loop, and a cyclic nucleotide-binding domain, and plays a role in generating an electrical potential across a plasma membrane, e.g., a neuronal plasma membrane or a muscle plasma membrane. In yet another preferred embodiment, the protein, preferably an ERG-LP protein, includes at least one transmembrane domain, a P-loop, and a cyclic nucleotide-binding domain, and is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleotide sequence which hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions to a nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, or SEQ ID NO:9.

[0018] In another embodiment, the invention features fragments of the proteins having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8, wherein the fragment comprises at least 15 amino acids (e.g., contiguous amino acids) of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:8, or an amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with the ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______. In another embodiment, the protein, preferably an ERG-LP protein, has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8.

[0019] In another embodiment, the invention features an isolated protein, preferably an ERG-LP protein, which is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleotide sequence at least about 28%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or more homologous to a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, or a complement thereof. In yet another embodiment, the invention features an isolated protein, preferably an ERG-LP protein, which is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleotide sequence at least about 42%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or more homologous to a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, or a complement thereof. In yet another embodiment, the invention features an isolated protein, preferably an ERG-LP protein, which is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleotide sequence at least about 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or more homologous to a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or a complement thereof. This invention further features an isolated protein, preferably an ERG-LP protein, which is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleotide sequence which hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions to a nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or a complement thereof.

[0020] The proteins of the present invention or biologically active portions thereof, can be operatively linked to a non-ERG-LP polypeptide (e.g., heterologous amino acid sequences) to form fusion proteins. The invention further features antibodies, such as monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies, that specifically bind proteins of the invention, preferably ERG-LP proteins. In addition, the ERG-LP proteins or biologically active portions thereof can be incorporated into pharmaceutical compositions, which optionally include pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.

[0021] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for detecting the presence of an ERG-LP nucleic acid molecule, protein or polypeptide in a biological sample by contacting the biological sample with an agent capable of detecting an ERG-LP nucleic acid molecule, protein or polypeptide such that the presence of an ERG-LP nucleic acid molecule, protein or polypeptide is detected in the biological sample.

[0022] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for detecting the presence of ERG-LP activity in a biological sample by contacting the biological sample with an agent capable of detecting an indicator of ERG-LP activity such that the presence of ERG-LP activity is detected in the biological sample.

[0023] In another aspect, the invention provides a method for modulating ERG-LP activity comprising contacting a cell capable of expressing ERG-LP with an agent that modulates ERG-LP activity such that ERG-LP activity in the cell is modulated. In one embodiment, the agent inhibits ERG-LP activity. In another embodiment, the agent stimulates ERG-LP activity. In one embodiment, the agent is an antibody that specifically binds to an ERG-LP protein. In another embodiment, the agent modulates expression of ERG-LP by modulating transcription of an ERG-LP gene or translation of an ERG-LP mRNA. In yet another embodiment, the agent is a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleotide sequence that is antisense to the coding strand of an ERG-LP mRNA or an ERG-LP gene.

[0024] In one embodiment, the methods of the present invention are used to treat a subject having a disorder characterized by aberrant ERG-LP protein or nucleic acid expression or activity by administering an agent which is an ERG-LP modulator to the subject. In one embodiment, the ERG-LP modulator is an ERG-LP protein. In another embodiment the ERG-LP modulator is an ERG-LP nucleic acid molecule. In yet another embodiment, the ERG-LP modulator is a peptide, peptidomimetic, or other small molecule. In a preferred embodiment, the disorder characterized by aberrant ERG-LP protein or nucleic acid expression is a CNS disorder.

[0025] The present invention also provides a diagnostic assay for identifying the presence or absence of a genetic alteration characterized by at least one of (i) aberrant modification or mutation of a gene encoding an ERG-LP protein; (ii) mis-regulation of the gene; and (iii) aberrant post-translational modification of an ERG-LP protein, wherein a wild-type form of the gene encodes an protein with an ERG-LP activity.

[0026] In another aspect the invention provides a method for identifying a compound that binds to or modulates the activity of an ERG-LP protein, by providing an indicator composition comprising an ERG-LP protein having ERG-LP activity, contacting the indicator composition with a test compound, and determining the effect of the test compound on ERG-LP activity in the indicator composition to identify a compound that modulates the activity of an ERG-LP protein.

[0027] Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028]FIG. 1 depicts the cDNA sequence and predicted amino acid sequence of monkey ERG-LP 1. The nucleotide sequence corresponds to nucleic acids 1 to 3355 of SEQ ID NO:1. The amino acid sequence corresponds to amino acids 1 to 1080 of SEQ ID NO:2. The coding region without the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions of the monkey ERG-LP1 gene is shown in SEQ ID NO:3.

[0029]FIG. 2 depicts the cDNA sequence and predicted amino acid sequence of human ERG-LP2. The nucleotide sequence corresponds to nucleic acids 1 to 2694 of SEQ ID NO:4. The amino acid sequence corresponds to amino acids 1 to 542 of SEQ ID NO:5. The coding region without the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions of the human ERG-LP2 gene is shown in SEQ ID NO:6.

[0030]FIG. 3 depicts an alignment of the amino acid sequence of monkey ERG-LP1 with the amino acid sequence of the human ERG protein (SEQ ID NO: 10).

[0031]FIG. 4 depicts an alignment of the amino acid sequence of human ERG-LP2 with the amino acid sequence of the Drosophila ERK protein (SEQ ID NO: 11).

[0032]FIG. 5 depicts the partial cDNA sequence and predicted amino acid sequence of human ERG-LP1. The partial nucleotide sequence corresponds to nucleic acids 1 to 1132 of SEQ ID NO:7. The partial amino acid sequence corresponds to amino acids 1 to 290 of SEQ ID NO:8. The coding region without the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions of the human ERG-LP1 gene is shown in SEQ ID NO:9.

[0033]FIG. 6 depicts a structural, hydrophobicity, and antigenicity analysis of the monkey ERG-LP1 protein.

[0034]FIG. 7 depicts a structural, hydrophobicity, and antigenicity analysis of the human ERG-LP2 protein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] The present invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery of novel molecules, referred to herein as ERG-LP nucleic acid and protein molecules, which are novel members of the ERG potassium channel family. These novel molecules are capable of, for example, modulating a potassium channel mediated activity in a cell, e.g., a neuronal cell or a muscle cell.

[0036] As used herein, a “potassium channel” refers to a protein which is involved in receiving, conducting, and transmitting signals, in an electrically excitable cell, e.g., a neuronal cell or a muscle cell. Potassium channels are potassium ion selective, and can determine membrane excitability (the ability of, for example, a neuron to respond to a stimulus and convert it into an impulse), influence the resting potential of membranes, wave forms and frequencies of action potentials, and thresholds of excitation. Potassium channels are typically expressed in electrically excitable cells, e.g., neurons, muscle, endocrine, and egg cells, and may form heteromultimeric structures, e.g., composed of pore-forming α and cytoplasmic β subunits. Examples of potassium channels include: (1) the voltage-gated potassium channels, (2) the ligand-gated potassium channels, e.g., cyclic nucleotide-gated potassium channels, and (3) the mechanically-gated potassium channels. Voltage-gated and ligand-gated potassium channels are expressed in the brain, e.g., in brainstem monoaminergic and forebrain cholinergic neurons, where they are involved in the release of neurotransmitters, or in the dendrites of hippocampal and neocortical pyramidal cells, where they are involved in the processes of learning and memory formation. For a detailed description of potassium channels, see Kandel E. R. et al., Principles of Neural Science, second edition, (Elsevier Science Publishing Co., Inc., N.Y. (1985)), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Thus, the ERG-LP proteins can modulate potassium channel mediated activities and provide novel diagnostic targets for potassium channel associated disorders.

[0037] As used herein, a “potassium channel associated disorder” refers to a disorder, disease or condition which is characterized by a misregulation of a potassium channel mediated activity. Potassium channel associated disorders can detrimentally affect conveyance of sensory impulses from the periphery to the brain and/or conductance of motor impulses from the brain to the periphery; integration of reflexes; interpretation of sensory impulses; or emotional, intellectual (e.g., learning and memory), or motor processes. Examples of potassium channel associated disorders include neurodegenerative disorders, e.g., Alzheimer's disease, dementias related to Alzheimer's disease (such as Pick's disease), Parkinson's and other Lewy diffuse body diseases, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, progressive supranuclear palsy, epilepsy, and Jakob-Creutzfieldt disease; psychiatric disorders, e.g., depression, schizophrenic disorders, korsakoff s psychosis, mania, anxiety disorders, or phobic disorders; learning or memory disorders, e.g., amnesia or age-related memory loss; neurological disorders, e.g., migraine; obesity; and cardiac disorders, e.g., cardiac arrythmias.

[0038] In another embodiment, the ERG-LP molecules of the invention are capable of modulating a potassium channel mediated activity. As used herein, a “potassium channel mediated activity” refers to an activity which involves a potassium channel, e.g., a potassium channel in a neuronal cell or a muscle cell. Potassium channel mediated activities are activities involved in receiving, conducting, and transmitting signals in, for example, the nervous system. Potassium channel mediated activities include release of neurotransmitters, e.g., dopamine or norepinephrine, from cells, e.g., neuronal cells; modulation of resting potential of membranes, wave forms and frequencies of action potentials, and thresholds of excitation; and modulation of processes such as integration of sub-threshold synaptic responses and the conductance of back-propagating action potentials in, for example, neuronal cells or muscle cells. Thus, the ERG-LP proteins can have one or more of the following activities: (1) modulate the release of neurotransmitters, (2) modulate membrane excitability, (3) influence the resting potential of membranes, (4) modulate wave forms and frequencies of action potentials, (5) modulate thresholds of excitation, and (6) modulate processes which underlie learning and memory, such as integration of sub-threshold synaptic responses and the conductance of back-propagating action potentials.

[0039] One embodiment of the invention features ERG-LP nucleic acid molecules, preferably human ERG-LP molecules, e.g., human ERG-LP1 and human ERG-LP-2, or monkey ERG-LP molecules, e.g., monkey ERG-LP1, which were identified from human or monkey brain libraries. The ERG-LP nucleic acid and protein molecules of the invention are described in further detail in the following subsections.

[0040] A. The ERG-LP1 Nucleic Acid and Protein Molecules

[0041] The present invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery of novel molecules, referred to herein as ERG-LP1 protein and nucleic acid molecules, which comprise a family of molecules having certain conserved structural and functional features. The term “family” when referring to the protein and nucleic acid molecules of the invention is intended to mean two or more proteins or nucleic acid molecules having a common structural domain or motif and having sufficient amino acid or nucleotide sequence homology as defined herein. Such family members can be naturally or non-naturally occurring and can be from either the same or different species. For example, a family can contain a first protein of human origin, as well as other, distinct proteins of human origin or alternatively, can contain homologues of non-human origin. Members of a family may also have common functional characteristics.

[0042] In one embodiment, the isolated proteins of the present invention, preferably ERG-LP1 proteins, are identified based on the presence of at least one or more of a “transmembrane domain”, a “P-loop”, and a “cyclic nucleotide-binding domain.” As used herein, the term “transmembrane domain” includes an amino acid sequence of about 15-40 amino acid residues in length, more preferably, about 15-30 amino acid residues in length, and most preferably about 18-25 amino acid residues in length, which spans the plasma membrane. Transmembrane domains are rich in hydrophobic residues, and typically have an α-helical structure. In a preferred embodiment, at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or more of the amino acids of a transmembrane domain are hydrophobic, e.g., leucines, isoleucines, tyrosines, or tryptophans. Transmembrane domains are described in, for example, Zagotta W. N. et al, (1996) Annual Rev. Neuronsci. 19: 235-63, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Amino acid residues 29-45, 229-251, 306-323, 357-381, 480-504, and 618-640 of the monkey ERG-LPI comprise transmembrane domains.

[0043] As used herein, the term “P-loop” (also known as an H5 domain) includes an amino acid sequence of about 15-25 amino acid residues in length, preferably about 18-22 amino acid residues in length, and most preferably about 20-22 amino acid residues in length, which is involved in lining the potassium channel pore. The P-loop is typically found between transmembrane domains 5 and 6 and is believed to be a major determinant of ion selectivity in potassium channels. In a preferred embodiment, a P-loop can have the following consensus sequence: (D/T)-(A/S)-(L/F)-X₁-X₁-(A/T)-X₂-(S/T)-(S/T)-X₂-T-(S/T)-V-G-X₁-G-(N/D)-X₂-X-(A/P)-X-T-X-X-X (SEQ ID NO:12), where X₁ can be F, Y, or W; X₂ can be M, I, L, or V; and X can be any amino acid. P-loops are described in, for example, Warmke et al. (1991) Science 252:1560-1562, and Zagotta W. N. et al., (1996) Annual Rev. Neuronsci. 19:235-63, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Amino acid residues 451-471 of the monkey ERG-LP1 protein comprise a P-loop.

[0044] As used herein, a “cyclic nucleotide-binding domain” includes an amino acid sequence of about 60-120 amino acid residues in length, preferably about 60-100 amino acid residues in length, and most preferably about 60-80 amino acid residues in length, which is involved in the binding of cyclic nucleotides, e.g., cGMP or cAMP. In preferred embodiments, the cyclic nucleotide binding domain can have the following consensus sequence: X-X-X-G-(E/D)-X₁-(I/L)-X-X-X-G-(D/S/R)-X₍₇₋₁₀₎-G-(S/K)-X-X₂-(V/I)-X-(RIK)-X-(D/G)-X₍₇₋₁₂₎-G-X₍₆₎-(D/E)-X₍₉₋₁₅₎-(A/T)-X₍₂₎-(D/A/V)-X₍₅₋₁₀₎ (SEQ ID NO:13) where X₁ can be: T, Y, L, or C and X₂ can be: E, A or N. Cyclic nucleotide binding domains are described in, for example, Zagotta W. N. et al., (1996) Annual Rev. Neuronsci. 19:235-63, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Amino acid residues 601-674 of the monkey ERG-LP1 protein comprise a cyclic nucleotide binding domain.

[0045] Isolated proteins of the present invention, preferably ERG-LP1 proteins, have an amino acid sequence sufficiently homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:8 or are encoded by a nucleotide sequence sufficiently homologous to SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:7, or SEQ ID NO:9. As used herein, the term “sufficiently homologous” refers to a first amino acid or nucleotide sequence which contains a sufficient or minimum number of identical or equivalent (e.g., an amino acid residue which has a similar side chain) amino acid residues or nucleotides to a second amino acid or nucleotide sequence such that the first and second amino acid or nucleotide sequences share common structural domains or motifs and/or a common functional activity. For example, amino acid or nucleotide sequences which share common structural domains have at least 30%, 40%, or 50% homology, preferably 60% homology, more preferably 70%-80%, and even more preferably 90-95% homology across the amino acid sequences of the domains and contain at least one and preferably two structural domains or motifs, are defined herein as sufficiently homologous. Furthermore, amino acid or nucleotide sequences which share at least 30%, 40%, or 50%, preferably 60%, more preferably 70-80%, or 90-95% homology and share a common functional activity are defined herein as sufficiently homologous.

[0046] As used interchangeably herein an “ERG-LP1 activity”, “biological activity of ERG-LP1” or “functional activity of ERG-LP1”, refers to an activity exerted by an ERG-LP1 protein, polypeptide or nucleic acid molecule on an ERG-LP1 responsive cell as determined in vivo, or in vitro, according to standard techniques. The biological activity of ERG-LP1 is described herein.

[0047] Accordingly, another embodiment of the invention features isolated ERG-LP1 proteins and polypeptides having an ERG-LP1 activity. Preferred proteins are ERG-LP1 proteins having at least one transmembrane domain, a P-loop, and a cyclic nucleotide-binding domain and, preferably, an ERG-LP1 activity. Other preferred proteins are ERG-LP1 proteins having at least one transmembrane domain and, preferably, an ERG-LP1 activity. Other preferred proteins are ERG-LP1 proteins having at least one P-loop, and, preferably, an ERG-LP1 activity. Other preferred proteins are ERG-LP1 proteins having at least one cyclic nucleotide-binding domain and, preferably, an ERG-LP1 activity. Other preferred proteins are ERG-LP1 proteins having at least one transmembrane domain, a P-loop, and, preferably, an ERG-LP1 activity. Other preferred proteins are ERG-LPI proteins having at least one transmembrane domain, a cyclic nucleotide-binding domain and, preferably, an ERG-LP1 activity. Other preferred proteins are ERG-LPI proteins having at least one P-loop, a cyclic nucleotide-binding domain and, preferably, an ERG-LP1 activity. Additional preferred proteins have at least one transmembrane domain, a P-loop, and a cyclic nucleotide-binding domain and are, preferably, encoded by a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleotide sequence which hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions to a nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:7, or SEQ ID NO:9.

[0048] The nucleotide sequence of the isolated monkey ERG-LP1 cDNA and the predicted amino acid sequence of the monkey ERG-LP1 polypeptide are shown in FIG. 1 and in SEQ ID NOs:1 and 2, respectively. The nucleotide sequence of the isolated human ERG-LP1 cDNA and the predicted amino acid sequence of the human ERG-LP1 polypeptide are shown in FIG. 5 and in SEQ ID NOs:7 and 8, respectively. A plasmid containing the nucleotide sequence encoding monkey ERG-LP1 was deposited with American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Rockville, Md., on ______ and assigned Accession Number ______. This deposit will be maintained under the terms of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure. This deposit was made merely as a convenience for those of skill in the art and is not an admission that a deposit is required under 35 U.S.C. §112.

[0049] The monkey ERG-LP1 gene, which is approximately 3355 nucleotides in length, encodes a protein having a molecular weight of approximately 124.2 kD and which is approximately 1080 amino acid residues in length. The monkey ERG-LP1 gene is expressed exclusively in the brain (expression is highest in cortical regions, hippocampus, caudate, and amygdala).

[0050] The human ERG-LP1 gene, which is approximately 1132 nucleotides in length, encodes a protein having a molecular weight of approximately 33.3 kD and which is approximately 290 amino acid residues in length. The human ERG-LP1 gene is expressed exclusively in the brain (expression is highest in cortical regions, hippocampus, caudate, and amygdala).

[0051] B. The ERG-LP2 Nucleic Acid and Protein Molecules

[0052] In another embodiment, the isolated proteins of the present invention, preferably ERG-LP2 proteins, are identified based on the presence of at least one or more of a “transmembrane domain”, a “P-loop”, and a “cyclic nucleotide-binding domain.” The terms transmembrane domain, P-loop, and cyclic nucleotide-binding domain are described herein. Amino acid residues 226-247, 303-327, 354-377, and 449-473 of the human ERG-LP2 comprise transmembrane domains. Amino acid residues 423-442 of the human ERG-LP2 comprise a P-loop.

[0053] Isolated proteins of the present invention, preferably ERG-LP2 proteins, have an amino acid sequence sufficiently homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 or are encoded by a nucleotide sequence sufficiently homologous to SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:6.

[0054] As used interchangeably herein an “ERG-LP2 activity”, “biological activity of ERG-LP2” or “functional activity of ERG-LP2”, refers to an activity exerted by an ERG-LP2 protein, polypeptide or nucleic acid molecule on an ERG-LP2 responsive cell as determined in vivo, or in vitro, according to standard techniques. The biological activity of ERG-LP2 is described herein.

[0055] Accordingly, another embodiment of the invention features isolated ERG-LP2 proteins and polypeptides having an ERG-LP2 activity. Preferred proteins are ERG-LP2 proteins having at least one transmembrane domain, a P-loop, and a cyclic nucleotide-binding domain and, preferably, an ERG-LP2 activity. Additional preferred proteins have at least one transmembrane domain, a P-loop, and a cyclic nucleotide-binding domain and are, preferably, encoded by a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleotide sequence which hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions to a nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:6.

[0056] The nucleotide sequence of the isolated human ERG-LP2 cDNA and the predicted amino acid sequence of the human ERG-LP2 polypeptide are shown in FIG. 2 and in SEQ ID NOs:4 and 5, respectively. A plasmid containing the nucleotide sequence encoding human ERG-LP2 was deposited with American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Rockville, Md., on ______ and assigned Accession Number ______. This deposit will be maintained under the terms of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure. This deposit was made merely as a convenience for those of skill in the art and is not an admission that a deposit is required under 35 U.S.C. §112.

[0057] The ERG-LP2 gene, which is approximately 2694 nucleotides in length, encodes a protein having a molecular weight of approximately 62.3 kD and which is approximately 542 amino acid residues in length. The ERG-LP2 gene is expressed in the brain.

[0058] Various aspects of the invention are described in further detail in the following subsections:

[0059] I. Isolated Nucleic Acid Molecules

[0060] One aspect of the invention pertains to isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode ERG-LP proteins or biologically active portions thereof, as well as nucleic acid fragments sufficient for use as hybridization probes to identify ERG-LP-encoding nucleic acid molecules (e.g., ERG-LP mRNA) and fragments for use as PCR primers for the amplification or mutation of ERG-LP nucleic acid molecules. As used herein, the term “nucleic acid molecule” is intended to include DNA molecules (e.g., cDNA or genomic DNA) and RNA molecules (e.g., mRNA) and analogs of the DNA or RNA generated using nucleotide analogs. The nucleic acid molecule can be single-stranded or double-stranded, but preferably is double-stranded DNA.

[0061] An “isolated” nucleic acid molecule is one which is separated from other nucleic acid molecules which are present in the natural source of the nucleic acid. Preferably, an “isolated” nucleic acid is free of sequences which naturally flank the nucleic acid (i.e., sequences located at the 5′ and 3′ ends of the nucleic acid) in the genomic DNA of the organism from which the nucleic acid is derived. For example, in various embodiments, the isolated ERG-LP nucleic acid molecule can contain less than about 5 kb, 4 kb, 3 kb, 2 kb, 1 kb, 0.5 kb or 0.1 kb of nucleotide sequences which naturally flank the nucleic acid molecule in genomic DNA of the cell from which the nucleic acid is derived. Moreover, an “isolated” nucleic acid molecule, such as a cDNA molecule, can be substantially free of other cellular material, or culture medium when produced by recombinant techniques, or substantially free of chemical precursors or other chemicals when chemically synthesized.

[0062] A nucleic acid molecule of the present invention, e.g., a nucleic acid molecule having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______, or a portion thereof, can be isolated using standard molecular biology techniques and the sequence information provided herein. Using all or portion of the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______, as a hybridization probe, ERG-LP nucleic acid molecules can be isolated using standard hybridization and cloning techniques (e.g., as described in Sambrook, J., Fritsh, E. F., and Maniatis, T. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. 2nd, ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989).

[0063] Moreover, a nucleic acid molecule encompassing all or a portion of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number or can be isolated by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using synthetic oligonucleotide primers designed based upon the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______.

[0064] A nucleic acid of the invention can be amplified using cDNA, mRNA or alternatively, genomic DNA, as a template and appropriate oligonucleotide primers according to standard PCR amplification techniques. The nucleic acid so amplified can be cloned into an appropriate vector and characterized by DNA sequence analysis. Furthermore, oligonucleotides corresponding to ERG-LP nucleotide sequences can be prepared by standard synthetic techniques, e.g., using an automated DNA synthesizer.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention comprises the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1. The sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 corresponds to the monkey ERG-LP1 cDNA. This cDNA comprises sequences encoding the monkey ERG-LP1 protein (i.e., “the coding region”, from nucleotides 113-3243), as well as 5′ untranslated sequences (nucleotides 1-112). Alternatively, the nucleic acid molecule can comprise only the coding region of SEQ ID NO:1 (e.g., nucleotides 113-3243, corresponding to SEQ ID NO:3).

[0066] In another preferred embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention comprises the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:4. The sequence of SEQ ID NO:4 corresponds to the human ERG-LP2 cDNA. This cDNA comprises sequences encoding the human ERG-LP2 protein (i.e., “the coding region”, from nucleotides 215-1843), as well as 5′ untranslated sequences (nucleotides 1-214) and 3′ untranslated sequences (nucleotides 1844-2694). Alternatively, the nucleic acid molecule can comprise only the coding region of SEQ ID NO:4 (e.g., nucleotides 215-1843, corresponding to SEQ ID NO:6).

[0067] In yet another preferred embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention comprises the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:7. The sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 corresponds to the human ERG-LPI cDNA. This cDNA comprises sequences encoding the human ERG-LP1 protein (i.e., “the coding region”, from nucleotides 263-1132), as well as 5′ untranslated sequences (nucleotides 1-262). Alternatively, the nucleic acid molecule can comprise only the coding region of SEQ ID NO:7 (e.g., nucleotides 263-1132, corresponding to SEQ ID NO:9).

[0068] In another preferred embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention comprises a nucleic acid molecule which is a complement of the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______, or a portion of any of these nucleotide sequences. A nucleic acid molecule which is complementary to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______, is one which is sufficiently complementary to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or _______, such that it can hybridize to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or _______, thereby forming a stable duplex.

[0069] In still another preferred embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the present invention comprises a nucleotide sequence which is at least about 28%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or more homologous to the entire length of the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, or the entire length of the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______, or a portion of any of these nucleotide sequences. In yet another preferred embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the present invention comprises a nucleotide sequence which is at least about 42%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or more homologous to the entire length of the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, or the entire length of the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______, or a portion of any of these nucleotide sequences. In yet another preferred embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the present invention comprises a nucleotide sequence which is at least about 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or more homologous to the entire length of the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the entire length of the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______, or a portion of any of these nucleotide sequences.

[0070] Moreover, the nucleic acid molecule of the invention can comprise only a portion of the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______, for example a fragment which can be used as a probe or primer or a fragment encoding a biologically active portion of an ERG-LP protein. The nucleotide sequence determined from the cloning of the ERG-LP gene allows for the generation of probes and primers designed for use in identifying and/or cloning other ERG-LP family members, as well as ERG-LP homologues from other species. The probe/primer typically comprises substantially purified oligonucleotide. The oligonucleotide typically comprises a region of nucleotide sequence that hybridizes under stringent conditions to at least about 12 or 15, preferably about 20 or 25, more preferably about 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, or 75 consecutive nucleotides of a sense sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or _______, of an anti-sense sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______, or of a naturally occurring allelic variant or mutant of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______. In an exemplary embodiment, a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention comprises a nucleotide sequence which is greater than 307, 350-400, 400-450, 450-500, 500-550, 550-600, 600-650, 650-700, 700-750, 750-800, 800-850, 850-900, 949, 950-1000, or more nucleotides in length and hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions to a nucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______.

[0071] Probes based on the ERG-LP nucleotide sequences can be used to detect transcripts or genomic sequences encoding the same or homologous proteins. In preferred embodiments, the probe further comprises a label group attached thereto, e.g., the label group can be a radioisotope, a fluorescent compound, an enzyme, or an enzyme co-factor. Such probes can be used as a part of a diagnostic test kit for identifying cells or tissue which misexpress an ERG-LP protein, such as by measuring a level of an ERG-LP-encoding nucleic acid in a sample of cells from a subject e.g., detecting ERG-LP mRNA levels or determining whether a genomic ERG-LP gene has been mutated or deleted.

[0072] A nucleic acid fragment encoding a “biologically active portion of an ERG-LP protein” can be prepared by isolating a portion of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or _______, which encodes a polypeptide having an ERG-LP biological activity (the biological activities of the ERG-LP proteins are described herein), expressing the encoded portion of the ERG-LP protein (e.g., by recombinant expression in vitro) and assessing the activity of the encoded portion of the ERG-LP protein.

[0073] The invention further encompasses nucleic acid molecules that differ from the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9 or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______, due to degeneracy of the genetic code and thus encode the same ERG-LP proteins as those encoded by the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9 or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______. In another embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention has a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein having an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8.

[0074] In addition to the ERG-LP nucleotide sequences shown in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number _______ or _______, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that DNA sequence polymorphisms that lead to changes in the amino acid sequences of the ERG-LP proteins may exist within a population (e.g., the human population). Such genetic polymorphism in the ERG-LP genes may exist among individuals within a population due to natural allelic variation. As used herein, the terms “gene” and “recombinant gene” refer to nucleic acid molecules comprising an open reading frame encoding an ERG-LP protein, preferably a mammalian ERG-LP protein. Such natural allelic variations can typically result in 1-5% variance in the nucleotide sequence of an ERG-LP gene. Any and all such nucleotide variations and resulting amino acid polymorphisms in ERG-LP genes that are the result of natural allelic variation and that do not alter the functional activity of an ERG-LP protein are intended to be within the scope of the invention.

[0075] Moreover, nucleic acid molecules encoding other ERG potassium channel family members (e.g., other ERG-LP family members) and thus which have a nucleotide sequence which differs from the ERG-LP sequences of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______ are intended to be within the scope of the invention. For example, another ERG-LP cDNA can be identified based on the nucleotide sequence of human ERG-LP. Moreover, nucleic acid molecules encoding ERG-LP proteins from different species, and thus which have a nucleotide sequence which differs from the ERG-LP sequences of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9 or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or _______ are intended to be within the scope of the invention. For example, a mouse ERG-LP cDNA can be identified based on the nucleotide sequence of a human ERG-LP.

[0076] Nucleic acid molecules corresponding to natural allelic variants and homologues of the ERG-LP cDNAs of the invention can be isolated based on their homology to the ERG-LP nucleic acids disclosed herein using the cDNAs disclosed herein, or a portion thereof, as a hybridization probe according to standard hybridization techniques under stringent hybridization conditions.

[0077] Accordingly, in another embodiment, an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention is at least 15, 20, 25, 30 or more nucleotides in length and hybridizes under stringent conditions to the nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9 or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______. In other embodiment, the nucleic acid is at least 30, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 307, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 949, or 950 nucleotides in length. As used herein, the term “hybridizes under stringent conditions” is intended to describe conditions for hybridization and washing under which nucleotide sequences at least 60% homologous to each other typically remain hybridized to each other. Preferably, the conditions are such that sequences at least about 70%, more preferably at least about 80%, even more preferably at least about 85% or 90% homologous to each other typically remain hybridized to each other. Such stringent conditions are known to those skilled in the art and can be found in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, N.Y. (1989), 6.3.1-6.3.6. A preferred, non-limiting example of stringent hybridization conditions are hybridization in 6× sodium chloride/sodium citrate (SSC) at about 45° C., followed by one or more washes in 0.2× SSC, 0. 1% SDS at 50-65° C. Preferably, an isolated nucleic acid molecule of the invention that hybridizes under stringent conditions to the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 corresponds to a naturally-occurring nucleic acid molecule. As used herein, a “naturally-occurring” nucleic acid molecule refers to an RNA or DNA molecule having a nucleotide sequence that occurs in nature (e.g., encodes a natural protein).

[0078] In addition to naturally-occurring allelic variants of the ERG-LP sequences that may exist in the population, the skilled artisan will further appreciate that changes can be introduced by mutation into the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______, thereby leading to changes in the amino acid sequence of the encoded ERG-LP proteins, without altering the functional ability of the ERG-LP proteins. For example, nucleotide substitutions leading to amino acid substitutions at “non-essential” amino acid residues can be made in the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______. A “non-essential” amino acid residue is a residue that can be altered from the wild-type sequence of ERG-LP (e.g., the sequence of SEQ ID NO:2) without altering the biological activity, whereas an “essential” amino acid residue is required for biological activity. For example, amino acid residues that are conserved among the ERG-LP proteins of the present invention, are predicted to be particularly unamenable to alteration. Furthermore, additional amino acid residues that are conserved between the ERG-LP proteins of the present invention and other members of the ERG potassium channel families are not likely to be amenable to alteration.

[0079] Accordingly, another aspect of the invention pertains to nucleic acid molecules encoding ERG-LP proteins that contain changes in amino acid residues that are not essential for activity. Such ERG-LP proteins differ in amino acid sequence from SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8, yet retain biological activity. In one embodiment, the isolated nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein, wherein the protein comprises an amino acid sequence at least about 37%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or more homologous to SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:8. In another embodiment, the isolated nucleic acid molecule comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein, wherein the protein comprises an amino acid sequence at least about 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or more homologous to SEQ ID NO:5.

[0080] An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding an ERG-LP protein homologous to the protein of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8 can be created by introducing one or more nucleotide substitutions, additions or deletions into the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______, such that one or more amino acid substitutions, additions or deletions are introduced into the encoded protein. Mutations can be introduced into SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______ by standard techniques, such as site-directed mutagenesis and PCR-mediated mutagenesis. Preferably, conservative amino acid substitutions are made at one or more predicted non-essential amino acid residues. A “conservative amino acid substitution” is one in which the amino acid residue is replaced with an amino acid residue having a similar side chain. Families of amino acid residues having similar side chains have been defined in the art. These families include amino acids with basic side chains (e.g., lysine, arginine, histidine), acidic side chains (e.g., aspartic acid, glutamic acid), uncharged polar side chains (e.g., glycine, asparagine, glutamine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, cysteine), nonpolar side chains (e.g., alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine, tryptophan), beta-branched side chains (e.g., threonine, valine, isoleucine) and aromatic side chains (e.g., tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine). Thus, a predicted nonessential amino acid residue in an ERG-LP protein is preferably replaced with another amino acid residue from the same side chain family. Alternatively, in another embodiment, mutations can be introduced randomly along all or part of an ERG-LP coding sequence, such as by saturation mutagenesis, and the resultant mutants can be screened for ERG-LP biological activity to identify mutants that retain activity. Following mutagenesis of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______, the encoded protein can be expressed recombinantly and the activity of the protein can be determined.

[0081] In a preferred embodiment, a mutant ERG-LP protein can be assayed for the ability to (1) interact with a non-ERG-LP protein molecule; (2) activate an ERG-LP-dependent signal transduction pathway; (3) modulate the release of neurotransmitters, (4) modulate membrane excitability, (5) influence the resting potential of membranes, wave forms and frequencies of action potentials, and thresholds of excitation, and (6) modulate processes which underlie learning and memory, such as integration of sub-threshold synaptic responses and the conductance of back-propagating action potentials.

[0082] In addition to the nucleic acid molecules encoding ERG-LP proteins described above, another aspect of the invention pertains to isolated nucleic acid molecules which are antisense thereto. An “antisense” nucleic acid comprises a nucleotide sequence which is complementary to a “sense” nucleic acid encoding a protein, e.g., complementary to the coding strand of a double-stranded cDNA molecule or complementary to an mRNA sequence. Accordingly, an antisense nucleic acid can hydrogen bond to a sense nucleic acid. The antisense nucleic acid can be complementary to an entire ERG-LP coding strand, or to only a portion thereof. In one embodiment, an antisense nucleic acid molecule is antisense to a “coding region” of the coding strand of a nucleotide sequence encoding ERG-LP. The term “coding region” refers to the region of the nucleotide sequence comprising codons which are translated into amino acid residues (e.g., the coding region of monkey ERG-LP1 corresponds to SEQ ID NO:3). In another embodiment, the antisense nucleic acid molecule is antisense to a “noncoding region” of the coding strand of a nucleotide sequence encoding ERG-LP. The term “noncoding region” refers to 5′ and 3′ sequences which flank the coding region that are not translated into amino acids (i.e., also referred to as 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions).

[0083] Given the coding strand sequences encoding ERG-LP disclosed herein (e.g., SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:6, and SEQ ID NO:9), antisense nucleic acids of the invention can be designed according to the rules of Watson and Crick base pairing. The antisense nucleic acid molecule can be complementary to the entire coding region of ERG-LP mRNA, but more preferably is an oligonucleotide which is antisense to only a portion of the coding or noncoding region of ERG-LP mRNA. For example, the antisense oligonucleotide can be complementary to the region surrounding the translation start site of ERG-LP mRNA. An antisense oligonucleotide can be, for example, about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 nucleotides in length. An antisense nucleic acid of the invention can be constructed using chemical synthesis and enzymatic ligation reactions using procedures known in the art. For example, an antisense nucleic acid (e.g., an antisense oligonucleotide) can be chemically synthesized using naturally occurring nucleotides or variously modified nucleotides designed to increase the biological stability of the molecules or to increase the physical stability of the duplex formed between the antisense and sense nucleic acids, e.g., phosphorothioate derivatives and acridine substituted nucleotides can be used. Examples of modified nucleotides which can be used to generate the antisense nucleic acid include 5-fluorouracil, 5-bromouracil, 5-chlorouracil, 5-iodouracil, hypoxanthine, xantine, 4-acetylcytosine, 5-(carboxyhydroxylmethyl) uracil, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyluracil, dihydrouracil, beta-D-galactosylqueosine, inosine, N6-isopentenyladenine, 1-methylguanine, 1-methylinosine, 2,2-dimethylguanine, 2-methyladenine, 2-methylguanine, 3-methylcytosine, 5-methylcytosine, N6-adenine, 7-methylguanine, 5-methylaminomethyluracil, 5-methoxyaminomethyl-2-thiouracil, beta-D-mannosylqueosine, 5′-methoxycarboxymethyluracil, 5-methoxyuracil, 2-methylthio-N6-isopentenyladenine, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid (v), wybutoxosine, pseudouracil, queosine, 2-thiocytosine, 5-methyl-2-thiouracil, 2-thiouracil, 4-thiouracil, 5-methyluracil, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid methylester, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid (v), 5-methyl-2-thiouracil, 3-(3-amino-3-N-2-carboxypropyl) uracil, (acp3)w, and 2,6-diaminopurine. Alternatively, the antisense nucleic acid can be produced biologically using an expression vector into which a nucleic acid has been subcloned in an antisense orientation (i.e., RNA transcribed from the inserted nucleic acid will be of an antisense orientation to a target nucleic acid of interest, described further in the following subsection).

[0084] The antisense nucleic acid molecules of the invention are typically administered to a subject or generated in situ such that they hybridize with or bind to cellular mRNA and/or genomic DNA encoding an ERG-LP protein to thereby inhibit expression of the protein, e.g., by inhibiting transcription and/or translation. The hybridization can be by conventional nucleotide complementarity to form a stable duplex, or, for example, in the case of an antisense nucleic acid molecule which binds to DNA duplexes, through specific interactions in the major groove of the double helix. An example of a route of administration of antisense nucleic acid molecules of the invention include direct injection at a tissue site. Alternatively, antisense nucleic acid molecules can be modified to target selected cells and then administered systemically. For example, for systemic administration, antisense molecules can be modified such that they specifically bind to receptors or antigens expressed on a selected cell surface, e.g., by linking the antisense nucleic acid molecules to peptides or antibodies which bind to cell surface receptors or antigens. The antisense nucleic acid molecules can also be delivered to cells using the vectors described herein. To achieve sufficient intracellular concentrations of the antisense molecules, vector constructs in which the antisense nucleic acid molecule is placed under the control of a strong pol II or pol III promoter are preferred.

[0085] In yet another embodiment, the antisense nucleic acid molecule of the invention is an α-anomeric nucleic acid molecule. An α-anomeric nucleic acid molecule forms specific double-stranded hybrids with complementary RNA in which, contrary to the usual β-units, the strands run parallel to each other (Gaultier et al. (1987) Nucleic Acids. Res. 15:6625-6641). The antisense nucleic acid molecule can also comprise a 2′-o-methylribonucleotide (Inoue et al. (1987) Nucleic Acids Res. 15:6131-6148) or a chimeric RNA-DNA analogue (Inoue et al. (1987) FEBS Lett. 215:327-330).

[0086] In still another embodiment, an antisense nucleic acid of the invention is a ribozyme. Ribozymes are catalytic RNA molecules with ribonuclease activity which are capable of cleaving a single-stranded nucleic acid, such as an mRNA, to which they have a complementary region. Thus, ribozymes (e.g., hammerhead ribozymes (described in Haselhoff and Gerlach (1988) Nature 334:585-591)) can be used to catalytically cleave ERG-LP mRNA transcripts to thereby inhibit translation of ERG-LP mRNA. A ribozyme having specificity for an ERG-LP-encoding nucleic acid can be designed based upon the nucleotide sequence of an ERG-LP cDNA disclosed herein (i.e., SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the nucleotide sequence of the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______). For example, a derivative of a Tetrahymena L-19 IVS RNA can be constructed in which the nucleotide sequence of the active site is complementary to the nucleotide sequence to be cleaved in an ERG-LP-encoding mRNA. See, e.g., Cech et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,071; and Cech et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,742. Alternatively, ERG-LP mRNA can be used to select a catalytic RNA having a specific ribonuclease activity from a pool of RNA molecules. See, e.g., Bartel, D. and Szostak, J. W. (1993) Science 261:1411-1418.

[0087] Alternatively, ERG-LP gene expression can be inhibited by targeting nucleotide sequences complementary to the regulatory region of the ERG-LP (e.g., the ERG-LP promoter and/or enhancers) to form triple helical structures that prevent transcription of the ERG-LP gene in target cells. See generally, Helene, C. (1991) Anticancer Drug Des. 6(6):569-84; Helene, C. et al. (1992) Ann. N. Y Acad. Sci. 660:27-36; and Maher, L. J. (1992) Bioassays 14(12):807-15.

[0088] In yet another embodiment, the ERG-LP nucleic acid molecules of the present invention can be modified at the base moiety, sugar moiety or phosphate backbone to improve, e.g., the stability, hybridization, or solubility of the molecule. For example, the deoxyribose phosphate backbone of the nucleic acid molecules can be modified to generate peptide nucleic acids (see Hyrup B. et al. (1996) Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry 4 (1): 5-23). As used herein, the terms “peptide nucleic acids” or “PNAs” refer to nucleic acid mimics, e.g., DNA mimics, in which the deoxyribose phosphate backbone is replaced by a pseudopeptide backbone and only the four natural nucleobases are retained. The neutral backbone of PNAs has been shown to allow for specific hybridization to DNA and RNA under conditions of low ionic strength. The synthesis of PNA oligomers can be performed using standard solid phase peptide synthesis protocols as described in Hyrup B. et al. (1996) supra; Perry-O'Keefe et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 93: 14670-675.

[0089] PNAs of ERG-LP nucleic acid molecules can be used in therapeutic and diagnostic applications. For example, PNAs can be used as antisense or antigene agents for sequence-specific modulation of gene expression by, for example, inducing transcription or translation arrest or inhibiting replication. PNAs of ERG-LP nucleic acid molecules can also be used in the analysis of single base pair mutations in a gene, (e.g., by PNA-directed PCR clamping); as ‘artificial restriction enzymes’ when used in combination with other enzymes, (e.g., S1 nucleases (Hyrup B. (1996) supra)); or as probes or primers for DNA sequencing or hybridization (Hyrup B. et al. (1996) supra; Perry-O'Keefe supra).

[0090] In another embodiment, PNAs of ERG-LP can be modified, (e.g., to enhance their stability or cellular uptake), by attaching lipophilic or other helper groups to PNA, by the formation of PNA-DNA chimeras, or by the use of liposomes or other techniques of drug delivery known in the art. For example, PNA-DNA chimeras of ERG-LP nucleic acid molecules can be generated which may combine the advantageous properties of PNA and DNA. Such chimeras allow DNA recognition enzymes, (e.g., RNAse H and DNA polymerases), to interact with the DNA portion while the PNA portion would provide high binding affinity and specificity. PNA-DNA chimeras can be linked using linkers of appropriate lengths selected in terms of base stacking, number of bonds between the nucleobases, and orientation (Hyrup B. (1996) supra). The synthesis of PNA-DNA chimeras can be performed as described in Hyrup B. (1996) supra and Finn P. J. et al. (1996) Nucleic Acids Res. 24 (17): 3357-63. For example, a DNA chain can be synthesized on a solid support using standard phosphoramidite coupling chemistry and modified nucleoside analogs, e.g., 5′-(4-methoxytrityl)amino-5′-deoxy-thymidine phosphoramidite, can be used as a between the PNA and the 5′ end of DNA (Mag, M. et al. (1989) Nucleic Acid Res. 17: 5973-88). PNA monomers are then coupled in a stepwise manner to produce a chimeric molecule with a 5′ PNA segment and a 3′ DNA segment (Finn P. J. et al. (1996) supra). Alternatively, chimeric molecules can be synthesized with a 5′ DNA segment and a 3′ PNA segment (Peterser, K. H. et al. (1975) Bioorganic Med. Chem. Lett. 5: 1119-11124).

[0091] In other embodiments, the oligonucleotide may include other appended groups such as peptides (e.g., for targeting host cell receptors in vivo), or agents facilitating transport across the cell membrane (see, e.g., Letsinger et al. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad Sci. US. 86:6553-6556; Lemaitre et al. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:648-652; PCT Publication No. WO88/09810) or the blood-brain barrier (see, e.g., PCT Publication No. WO89/10134). In addition, oligonucleotides can be modified with hybridization-triggered cleavage agents (See, e.g., Krol et al. (1988) Bio-Techniques 6:958-976) or intercalating agents. (See, e.g., Zon (1988) Pharm. Res. 5:539-549). To this end, the oligonucleotide may be conjugated to another molecule, (e.g., a peptide, hybridization triggered cross-linking agent, transport agent, or hybridization-triggered cleavage agent).

[0092] II. Isolated ERG-LP Proteins and Anti-ERG-LP Antibodies

[0093] One aspect of the invention pertains to isolated ERG-LP proteins, and biologically active portions thereof, as well as polypeptide fragments suitable for use as immunogens to raise anti-ERG-LP antibodies. In one embodiment, native ERG-LP proteins can be isolated from cells or tissue sources by an appropriate purification scheme using standard protein purification techniques. In another embodiment, ERG-LP proteins are produced by recombinant DNA techniques. Alternative to recombinant expression, an ERG-LP protein or polypeptide can be synthesized chemically using standard peptide synthesis techniques.

[0094] An “isolated” or “purified” protein or biologically active portion thereof is substantially free of cellular material or other contaminating proteins from the cell or tissue source from which the ERG-LP protein is derived, or substantially free from chemical precursors or other chemicals when chemically synthesized. The language “substantially free of cellular material” includes preparations of ERG-LP protein in which the protein is separated from cellular components of the cells from which it is isolated or recombinantly produced. In one embodiment, the language “substantially free of cellular material” includes preparations of ERG-LP protein having less than about 30% (by dry weight) of non-ERG-LP protein (also referred to herein as a “contaminating protein”), more preferably less than about 20% of non-ERG-LP protein, still more preferably less than about 10% of non-ERG-LP protein, and most preferably less than about 5% non-ERG-LP protein. When the ERG-LP protein or biologically active portion thereof is recombinantly produced, it is also preferably substantially free of culture medium, i.e., culture medium represents less than about 20%, more preferably less than about 10%, and most preferably less than about 5% of the volume of the protein preparation.

[0095] The language “substantially free of chemical precursors or other chemicals” includes preparations of ERG-LP protein in which the protein is separated from chemical precursors or other chemicals which are involved in the synthesis of the protein. In one embodiment, the language “substantially free of chemical precursors or other chemicals” includes preparations of ERG-LP protein having less than about 30% (by dry weight) of chemical precursors or non-ERG-LP chemicals, more preferably less than about 20% chemical precursors or non-ERG-LP chemicals, still more preferably less than about 10% chemical precursors or non-ERG-LP chemicals, and most preferably less than about 5% chemical precursors or non-ERG-LP chemicals.

[0096] As used herein, a “biologically active portion” of an ERG-LP protein includes a fragment of an ERG-LP protein which participates in an interaction between an ERG-LP molecule and a non-ERG-LP molecule. Biologically active portions of an ERG-LP protein include peptides comprising amino acid sequences sufficiently homologous to or derived from the amino acid sequence of the ERG-LP protein, e.g., the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8, which include less amino acids than the full length ERG-LP proteins, and exhibit at least one activity of an ERG-LP protein. Typically, biologically active portions comprise a domain or motif with at least one activity of the ERG-LP protein, e.g., binding of a cyclic nucleotide. A biologically active portion of an ERG-LP protein can be a polypeptide which is, for example, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200 or more amino acids in length. Biologically active portions of an ERG-LP protein can be used as targets for developing agents which modulate a potassium channel mediated activity.

[0097] In one embodiment, a biologically active portion of an ERG-LP protein comprises at least one transmembrane domain. In another embodiment, a biologically active portion of an ERG-LP protein comprises at least a P-loop. In another embodiment a biologically active portion of an ERG-LP protein comprises at least a cyclic nucleotide-binding domain. In yet another embodiment a biologically active portion of an ERG-LP protein comprises at least a transmembrane domain, a P-loop, and a cyclic nucleotide-binding domain.

[0098] It is to be understood that a preferred biologically active portion of an ERG-LP protein of the present invention may contain at least one of the above-identified structural domains. A more preferred biologically active portion of an ERG-LP protein may contain at least two of the above-identified structural domains. Moreover, other biologically active portions, in which other regions of the protein are deleted, can be prepared by recombinant techniques and evaluated for one or more of the functional activities of a native ERG-LP protein.

[0099] In a preferred embodiment, the ERG-LP protein has an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8. In other embodiments, the ERG-LP protein is substantially homologous to SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8, and retains the functional activity of the protein of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8, yet differs in amino acid sequence due to natural allelic variation or mutagenesis, as described in detail in subsection I above. Accordingly, in another embodiment, the ERG-LP protein is a protein which comprises an amino acid sequence at least about 25%, 30%, 35%, 37%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or more homologous to SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8.

[0100] To determine the percent homology of two amino acid sequences or of two nucleic acids, the sequences are aligned for optimal comparison purposes (e.g., gaps can be introduced in the sequence of a first amino acid or nucleic acid sequence for optimal alignment with a second amino or nucleic acid sequence and non-homologous sequences can be disregarded for comparison purposes). In a preferred embodiment, the length of a reference sequence aligned for comparison purposes is at least 30%, preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, even more preferably at least 60%, and even more preferably at least 70%, 80%, or 90% of the length of the reference sequence (e.g., when aligning a second sequence having 177 amino acid residues, to the ERG-LP amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8, at least 80, preferably at least 100, more preferably at least 120, even more preferably at least 140, and even more preferably at least 150, 160 or 170 amino acid residues are aligned). The amino acid residues or nucleotides at corresponding amino acid positions or nucleotide positions are then compared. When a position in the first sequence is occupied by the same amino acid residue or nucleotide as the corresponding position in the second sequence, then the molecules are homologous at that position (i.e., as used herein amino acid or nucleic acid “homology” is equivalent to amino acid or nucleic acid “identity”). The percent homology between the two sequences is a function of the number of identical positions shared by the sequences (i.e., % homology =of identical positions/total # of positions×100).

[0101] The comparison of sequences and determination of percent homology between two sequences can be accomplished using a mathematical algorithim. A preferred, non-limiting example of a mathematical algorithim utilized for the comparison of sequences is the algorithm of Karlin and Altschul (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:2264-68, modified as in Karlin and Altschul (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:5873-77. Such an algorithm is incorporated into the NBLAST and XBLAST programs (version 2.0) of Altschul, et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-10. BLAST nucleotide searches can be performed with the NBLAST program, score=100, wordlength=12 to obtain nucleotide sequences homologous to ERG-LP nucleic acid molecules of the invention. BLAST protein searches can be performed with the XBLAST program, score=50, wordlength=3 to obtain amino acid sequences homologous to ERG-LP protein molecules of the invention. To obtain gapped alignments for comparison purposes, Gapped BLAST can be utilized as described in Altschul et al., (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. 25(17):3389-3402. When utilizing BLAST and Gapped BLAST programs, the default parameters of the respective programs (e.g., XBLAST and NBLAST) can be used. See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Another preferred, non-limiting example of a mathematical algorithim utilized for the comparison of sequences is the algorithm of Myers and Miller, CABIOS (1989). Such an algorithm is incorporated into the ALIGN program (version 2.0) which is part of the GCG sequence alignment software package. When utilizing the ALIGN program for comparing amino acid sequences, a PAM 120 weight residue table, a gap length penalty of 12, and a gap penalty of 4 can be used.

[0102] The invention also provides ERG-LP chimeric or fusion proteins. As used herein, an ERG-LP “chimeric protein” or “fusion protein” comprises an ERG-LP polypeptide operatively linked to a non-ERG-LP polypeptide. An “ERG-LP polypeptide” refers to a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence corresponding to ERG-LP, whereas a “non-ERG-LP polypeptide” refers to a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence corresponding to a protein which is not substantially homologous to the ERG-LP protein, e.g., a protein which is different from the ERG-LP protein and which is derived from the same or a different organism. Within an ERG-LP fusion protein the ERG-LP polypeptide can correspond to all or a portion of an ERG-LP protein. In a preferred embodiment, an ERG-LP fusion protein comprises at least one biologically active portion of an ERG-LP protein. In another preferred embodiment, an ERG-LP fusion protein comprises at least two biologically active portions of an ERG-LP protein. Within the fusion protein, the term “operatively linked” is intended to indicate that the ERG-LP polypeptide and the non-ERG-LP polypeptide are fused in-frame to each other. The non-ERG-LP polypeptide can be fused to the N-terminus or C-terminus of the ERG-LP polypeptide.

[0103] For example, in one embodiment, the fusion protein is a GST-ERG-LP fusion protein in which the ERG-LP sequences are fused to the C-terminus of the GST sequences. Such fusion proteins can facilitate the purification of recombinant ERG-LP.

[0104] In another embodiment, the fusion protein is an ERG-LP protein containing a heterologous signal sequence at its N-terminus. In certain host cells (e.g., mammalian host cells), expression and/or secretion of ERG-LP can be increased through use of a heterologous signal sequence.

[0105] The ERG-LP fusion proteins of the invention can be incorporated into pharmaceutical compositions and administered to a subject in vivo. The ERG-LP fusion proteins can be used to affect the bioavailability of an ERG-LP substrate. Use of ERG-LP fusion proteins may be useful therapeutically for the treatment of CNS disorders, e.g., neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, dementias related to Alzheimer's disease (such as Pick's disease), Parkinson's and other Lewy diffuse body diseases, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, progressive supranuclear palsy, epilepsy and Jakob-Creutzfieldt disease; psychiatric disorders, e.g., depression, schizophrenic disorders, korsakoffs psychosis, mania, anxiety disorders, or phobic disorders; learning or memory disorders, e.g., amnesia or age-related memory loss; neurological disorders; e.g., migraine; and obesity.

[0106] Moreover, the ERG-LP-fusion proteins of the invention can be used as immunogens to produce anti-ERG-LP antibodies in a subject, to purify ERG-LP ligands and in screening assays to identify molecules which inhibit the interaction of ERG-LP with an ERG-LP substrate.

[0107] Preferably, an ERG-LP chimeric or fusion protein of the invention is produced by standard recombinant DNA techniques. For example, DNA fragments coding for the different polypeptide sequences are ligated together in-frame in accordance with conventional techniques, for example by employing blunt-ended or stagger-ended termini for ligation, restriction enzyme digestion to provide for appropriate termini, filling-in of cohesive ends as appropriate, alkaline phosphatase treatment to avoid undesirable joining, and enzymatic ligation. In another embodiment, the fusion gene can be synthesized by conventional techniques including automated DNA synthesizers. Alternatively, PCR amplification of gene fragments can be carried out using anchor primers which give rise to complementary overhangs between two consecutive gene fragments which can subsequently be annealed and reamplified to generate a chimeric gene sequence (see, for example, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, eds. Ausubel et al. John Wiley & Sons: 1992). Moreover, many expression vectors are commercially available that already encode a fusion moiety (e.g., a GST polypeptide). An ERG-LP-encoding nucleic acid can be cloned into such an expression vector such that the fusion moiety is linked in-frame to the ERG-LP protein.

[0108] The present invention also pertains to variants of the ERG-LP proteins which function as either ERG-LP agonists (mimetics) or as ERG-LP antagonists. Variants of the ERG-LP proteins can be generated by mutagenesis, e.g., discrete point mutation or truncation of an ERG-LP protein. An agonist of the ERG-LP proteins can retain substantially the same, or a subset, of the biological activities of the naturally occurring form of an ERG-LP protein. An antagonist of an ERG-LP protein can inhibit one or more of the activities of the naturally occurring form of the ERG-LP protein by, for example, competitively modulating a potassium channel mediated activity of an ERG-LP protein. Thus, specific biological effects can be elicited by treatment with a variant of limited function. In one embodiment, treatment of a subject with a variant having a subset of the biological activities of the naturally occurring form of the protein has fewer side effects in a subject relative to treatment with the naturally occurring form of the ERG-LP protein.

[0109] In one embodiment, variants of an ERG-LP protein which function as either ERG-LP agonists (mimetics) or as ERG-LP antagonists can be identified by screening combinatorial libraries of mutants, e.g., truncation mutants, of an ERG-LP protein for ERG-LP protein agonist or antagonist activity. In one embodiment, a variegated library of ERG-LP variants is generated by combinatorial mutagenesis at the nucleic acid level and is encoded by a variegated gene library. A variegated library of ERG-LP variants can be produced by, for example, enzymatically ligating a mixture of synthetic oligonucleotides into gene sequences such that a degenerate set of potential ERG-LP sequences is expressible as individual polypeptides, or alternatively, as a set of larger fusion proteins (e.g., for phage display) containing the set of ERG-LP sequences therein. There are a variety of methods which can be used to produce libraries of potential ERG-LP variants from a degenerate oligonucleotide sequence. Chemical synthesis of a degenerate gene sequence can be performed in an automatic DNA synthesizer, and the synthetic gene then ligated into an appropriate expression vector. Use of a degenerate set of genes allows for the provision, in one mixture, of all of the sequences encoding the desired set of potential ERG-LP sequences. Methods for synthesizing degenerate oligonucleotides are known in the art (see, e.g., Narang, S. A. (1983) Tetrahedron 39:3; Itakura et al. (1984) Annu. Rev. Biochem. 53:323; Itakura et al. (1984) Science 198:1056; Ike et al. (1983)Nucleic Acid Res. 11:477.

[0110] In addition, libraries of fragments of an ERG-LP protein coding sequence can be used to generate a variegated population of ERG-LP fragments for screening and subsequent selection of variants of an ERG-LP protein. In one embodiment, a library of coding sequence fragments can be generated by treating a double stranded PCR fragment of an ERG-LP coding sequence with a nuclease under conditions wherein nicking occurs only about once per molecule, denaturing the double stranded DNA, renaturing the DNA to form double stranded DNA which can include sense/antisense pairs from different nicked products, removing single stranded portions from reformed duplexes by treatment with S1 nuclease, and ligating the resulting fragment library into an expression vector. By this method, an expression library can be derived which encodes N-terminal, C-terminal and internal fragments of various sizes of the ERG-LP protein.

[0111] Several techniques are known in the art for screening gene products of combinatorial libraries made by point mutations or truncation, and for screening cDNA libraries for gene products having a selected property. Such techniques are adaptable for rapid screening of the gene libraries generated by the combinatorial mutagenesis of ERG-LP proteins. The most widely used techniques, which are amenable to high through-put analysis, for screening large gene libraries typically include cloning the gene library into replicable expression vectors, transforming appropriate cells with the resulting library of vectors, and expressing the combinatorial genes under conditions in which detection of a desired activity facilitates isolation of the vector encoding the gene whose product was detected. Recrusive ensemble mutagenesis (REM), a new technique which enhances the frequency of functional mutants in the libraries, can be used in combination with the screening assays to identify ERG-LP variants (Arkin and Yourvan (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:7811-7815; Delgrave et al. (1993) Protein Engineering 6(3):327-331).

[0112] In one embodiment, cell based assays can be exploited to analyze a variegated ERG-LP library. For example, a library of expression vectors can be transfected into a cell line which ordinarily synthesizes ERG-LP. The transfected cells are then cultured such that ERG-LP and a particular mutant ERG-LP are expressed and the effect of expression of the mutant on ERG-LP activity in the cells can be detected, e.g., by any of a number of enzymatic assays or by detecting the release of a neurotransmitter. Plasmid DNA can then be recovered from the cells which score for inhibition, or alternatively, potentiation of ERG-LP activity, and the individual clones further characterized.

[0113] An isolated ERG-LP protein, or a portion or fragment thereof, can be used as an immunogen to generate antibodies that bind ERG-LP using standard techniques for polyclonal and monoclonal antibody preparation. A full-length ERG-LP protein can be used or, alternatively, the invention provides antigenic peptide fragments of ERG-LP for use as immunogens. The antigenic peptide of ERG-LP comprises at least 8 amino acid residues of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8 and encompasses an epitope of ERG-LP such that an antibody raised against the peptide forms a specific immune complex with ERG-LP. Preferably, the antigenic peptide comprises at least 10 amino acid residues, more preferably at least 15 amino acid residues, even more preferably at least 20 amino acid residues, and most preferably at least 30 amino acid residues.

[0114] Preferred epitopes encompassed by the antigenic peptide are regions of ERG-LP that are located on the surface of the protein, e.g., hydrophilic regions, as well as regions with high antigenicity (see, for example, FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0115] An ERG-LP immunogen typically is used to prepare antibodies by immunizing a suitable subject, (e.g., rabbit, goat, mouse or other mammal) with the immunogen. An appropriate immunogenic preparation can contain, for example, recombinantly expressed ERG-LP protein or a chemically synthesized ERG-LP polypeptide. The preparation can further include an adjuvant, such as Freund's complete or incomplete adjuvant, or similar immunostimulatory agent. Immunization of a suitable subject with an immunogenic ERG-LP preparation induces a polyclonal anti-ERG-LP antibody response.

[0116] Accordingly, another aspect of the invention pertains to anti-ERG-LP antibodies. The term “antibody” as used herein refers to immunoglobulin molecules and immunologically active portions of immunoglobulin molecules, i.e., molecules that contain an antigen binding site which specifically binds (immunoreacts with) an antigen, such as ERG-LP. Examples of immunologically active portions of immunoglobulin molecules include F(ab) and F(ab′)₂ fragments which can be generated by treating the antibody with an enzyme such as pepsin. The invention provides polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies that bind ERG-LP. The term “monoclonal antibody” or “monoclonal antibody composition”, as used herein, refers to a population of antibody molecules that contain only one species of an antigen binding site capable of immunoreacting with a particular epitope of ERG-LP. A monoclonal antibody composition thus typically displays a single binding affinity for a particular ERG-LP protein with which it immunoreacts.

[0117] Polyclonal anti-ERG-LP antibodies can be prepared as described above by immunizing a suitable subject with an ERG-LP immunogen. The anti-ERG-LP antibody titer in the immunized subject can be monitored over time by standard techniques, such as with an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using immobilized ERG-LP. If desired, the antibody molecules directed against ERG-LP can be isolated from the mammal (e.g., from the blood) and further purified by well known techniques, such as protein A chromatography to obtain the IgG fraction. At an appropriate time after immunization, e.g., when the anti-ERG-LP antibody titers are highest, antibody-producing cells can be obtained from the subject and used to prepare monoclonal antibodies by standard techniques, such as the hybridoma technique originally described by Kohler and Milstein (1975) Nature 256:495-497) (see also, Brown et al. (1981) J. Immunol 127:539-46; Brown et al. (1980) J. Biol Chem. 255:4980-83; Yeh et al. (1976) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 76:2927-31; and Yeh et al. (1982) Int. J. Cancer 29:269-75), the more recent human B cell hybridoma technique (Kozbor et al. (1983) Immunol Today 4:72), the EBV-hybridoma technique (Cole et al. (1985), Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, Inc., pp. 77-96) or trioma techniques. The technology for producing monoclonal antibody hybridomas is well known (see generally R. H. Kenneth, in Monoclonal Antibodies: A New Dimension In Biological Analyses, Plenum Publishing Corp., New York, N.Y. (1980); E. A. Lerner (1981) Yale J. Biol. Med., 54:387-402; M. L. Gefter et al. (1977) Somatic Cell Genet. 3:231-36). Briefly, an immortal cell line (typically a myeloma) is fused to lymphocytes (typically splenocytes) from a mammal immunized with an ERG-LP immunogen as described above, and the culture supernatants of the resulting hybridoma cells are screened to identify a hybridoma producing a monoclonal antibody that binds ERG-LP.

[0118] Any of the many well known protocols used for fusing lymphocytes and immortalized cell lines can be applied for the purpose of generating an anti-ERG-LP monoclonal antibody (see, e.g., G. Galfre et al. (1977) Nature 266:55052; Gefter et al. Somatic Cell Genet., cited supra; Lerner, Yale J. Biol. Med., cited supra; Kenneth, Monoclonal Antibodies, cited supra). Moreover, the ordinarily skilled worker will appreciate that there are many variations of such methods which also would be useful. Typically, the immortal cell line (e.g., a myeloma cell line) is derived from the same mammalian species as the lymphocytes. For example, murine hybridomas can be made by fusing lymphocytes from a mouse immunized with an immunogenic preparation of the present invention with an immortalized mouse cell line. Preferred immortal cell lines are mouse myeloma cell lines that are sensitive to culture medium containing hypoxanthine, aminopterin and thymidine (“HAT medium”). Any of a number of myeloma cell lines can be used as a fusion partner according to standard techniques, e.g., the P3-NS1/1-Ag4-1, P3-x63-Ag8.653 or Sp2/O-Ag14 myeloma lines. These myeloma lines are available from ATCC. Typically, HAT-sensitive mouse myeloma cells are fused to mouse splenocytes using polyethylene glycol (“PEG”). Hybridoma cells resulting from the fusion are then selected using HAT medium, which kills unfused and unproductively fused myeloma cells (unfused splenocytes die after several days because they are not transformed). Hybridoma cells producing a monoclonal antibody of the invention are detected by screening the hybridoma culture supernatants for antibodies that bind ERG-LP, e.g., using a standard ELISA assay.

[0119] Alternative to preparing monoclonal antibody-secreting hybridomas, a monoclonal anti-ERG-LP antibody can be identified and isolated by screening a recombinant combinatorial immunoglobulin library (e.g., an antibody phage display library) with ERG-LP to thereby isolate immunoglobulin library members that bind ERG-LP. Kits for generating and screening phage display libraries are commercially available (e.g., the Pharmacia Recombinant Phage Antibody System, Catalog No. 27-9400-01; and the Stratagene SurfZAP4PTM Phage Display Kit, Catalog No. 240612). Additionally, examples of methods and reagents particularly amenable for use in generating and screening antibody display library can be found in, for example, Ladner et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,409; Kang et al. PCT International Publication No. WO 92/18619; Dower et al. PCT International Publication No. WO 91/17271; Winter et al. PCT International Publication WO 92/20791; Markland et al. PCT International Publication No. WO 92/15679; Breitling et al. PCT International Publication WO 93/01288; McCafferty et al. PCT International Publication No. WO 92/01047; Garrard et al. PCT International Publication No. WO 92/09690; Ladner et al. PCT International Publication No. WO 90/02809; Fuchs et al. (1991) Bio/Technology 9:1370-1372; Hay et al. (1992) Hum. Antibod. Hybridomas 3:81-85; Huse et al. (1989) Science 246:1275-1281; Griffiths et al. (1993) EMBO J 12:725-734; Hawkins et al. (1992) J. Mol. Biol. 226:889-896; Clarkson et al. (1991) Nature 352:624-628; Gram et al. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:3576-3580; Garrad et al. (1991) Bio/Technology 9:1373-1377; Hoogenboom et al. (1991) Nuc. Acid Res. 19:4133-4137; Barbas et al. (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:7978-7982; and McCafferty et al. Nature (1990) 348:552-554.

[0120] Additionally, recombinant anti-ERG-LP antibodies, such as chimeric and humanized monoclonal antibodies, comprising both human and non-human portions, which can be made using standard recombinant DNA techniques, are within the scope of the invention. Such chimeric and humanized monoclonal antibodies can be produced by recombinant DNA techniques known in the art, for example using methods described in Robinson et al. International Application No. PCT/US86/02269; Akira, et al. European Patent Application 184,187; Taniguchi, M., European Patent Application 171,496; Morrison et al. European Patent Application 173,494; Neuberger et al. PCT International Publication No. WO 86/01533; Cabilly et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; Cabilly et al. European Patent Application 125,023; Better et al. (1988) Science 240:1041-1043; Liu et al. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:3439-3443; Liu et al. (1987) J. Immunol. 139:3521-3526; Sun et al. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:214-218; Nishimura et al. (1987) Canc. Res. 47:999-1005; Wood et al. (1985) Nature 314:446-449; and Shaw et al. (1988) J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 80:1553-1559); Morrison, S. L. (1985) Science 229:1202-1207; Oi et al. (1986) BioTechniques 4:214; Winter U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,539; Jones et al. (1986) Nature 321:552-525; Verhoeyan et al. (1988) Science 239:1534; and Beidler et al. (1988) J. Immunol. 141:4053-4060.

[0121] An anti-ERG-LP antibody (e.g., monoclonal antibody) can be used to isolate ERG-LP by standard techniques, such as affinity chromatography or immunoprecipitation. An anti-ERG-LP antibody can facilitate the purification of natural ERG-LP from cells and of recombinantly produced ERG-LP expressed in host cells. Moreover, an anti-ERG-LP antibody can be used to detect ERG-LP protein (e.g., in a cellular lysate or cell supernatant) in order to evaluate the abundance and pattern of expression of the ERG-LP protein. Anti-ERG-LP antibodies can be used diagnostically to monitor protein levels in tissue as part of a clinical testing procedure, e.g., to, for example, determine the efficacy of a given treatment regimen. Detection can be facilitated by coupling (i.e., physically linking) the antibody to a detectable substance. Examples of detectable substances include various enzymes, prosthetic groups, fluorescent materials, luminescent materials, bioluminescent materials, and radioactive materials. Examples of suitable enzymes include horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, -galactosidase, or acetylcholinesterase; examples of suitable prosthetic group complexes include streptavidin/biotin and avidin/biotin; examples of suitable fluorescent materials include umbelliferone, fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine, dichlorotriazinylamine fluorescein, dansyl chloride or phycoerythrin; an example of a luminescent material includes luminol; examples of bioluminescent materials include luciferase, luciferin, and aequorin, and examples of suitable radioactive material include ¹²⁵I, ¹³¹I, ³⁵S or ³H.

[0122] III. Recombinant Expression Vectors and Host Cells

[0123] Another aspect of the invention pertains to vectors, preferably expression vectors, containing a nucleic acid encoding an ERG-LP protein (or a portion thereof). As used herein, the term “vector” refers to a nucleic acid molecule capable of transporting another nucleic acid to which it has been linked. One type of vector is a “plasmid”, which refers to a circular double stranded DNA loop into which additional DNA segments can be ligated. Another type of vector is a viral vector, wherein additional DNA segments can be ligated into the viral genome. Certain vectors are capable of autonomous replication in a host cell into which they are introduced (e.g., bacterial vectors having a bacterial origin of replication and episomal mammalian vectors). Other vectors (e.g., non-episomal mammalian vectors) are integrated into the genome of a host cell upon introduction into the host cell, and thereby are replicated along with the host genome. Moreover, certain vectors are capable of directing the expression of genes to which they are operatively linked. Such vectors are referred to herein as “expression vectors”. In general, expression vectors of utility in recombinant DNA techniques are often in the form of plasmids. In the present specification, “plasmid” and “vector” can be used interchangeably as the plasmid is the most commonly used form of vector. However, the invention is intended to include such other forms of expression vectors, such as viral vectors (e.g., replication defective retroviruses, adenoviruses and adeno-associated viruses), which serve equivalent functions.

[0124] The recombinant expression vectors of the invention comprise a nucleic acid of the invention in a form suitable for expression of the nucleic acid in a host cell, which means that the recombinant expression vectors include one or more regulatory sequences, selected on the basis of the host cells to be used for expression, which is operatively linked to the nucleic acid sequence to be expressed. Within a recombinant expression vector, “operably linked” is intended to mean that the nucleotide sequence of interest is linked to the regulatory sequence(s) in a manner which allows for expression of the nucleotide sequence (e.g., in an in vitro transcription/translation system or in a host cell when the vector is introduced into the host cell). The term “regulatory sequence” is intended to includes promoters, enhancers and other expression control elements (e.g., polyadenylation signals). Such regulatory sequences are described, for example, in Goeddel; Gene Expression Technology: Methods in Enzymology 185, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. (1990). Regulatory sequences include those which direct constitutive expression of a nucleotide sequence in many types of host cell and those which direct expression of the nucleotide sequence only in certain host cells (e.g., tissue-specific regulatory sequences). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the design of the expression vector can depend on such factors as the choice of the host cell to be transformed, the level of expression of protein desired, and the like. The expression vectors of the invention can be introduced into host cells to thereby produce proteins or peptides, including fusion proteins or peptides, encoded by nucleic acids as described herein (e.g., ERG-LP proteins, mutant forms of ERG-LP proteins, fusion proteins, and the like).

[0125] The recombinant expression vectors of the invention can be designed for expression of ERG-LP proteins in prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells. For example, ERG-LP proteins can be expressed in bacterial cells such as E. coli, insect cells (using baculovirus expression vectors) yeast cells or mammalian cells. Suitable host cells are discussed further in Goeddel, Gene Expression Technology: Methods in Enzymology 185, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. (1990). Alternatively, the recombinant expression vector can be transcribed and translated in vitro, for example using T7 promoter regulatory sequences and T7 polymerase.

[0126] Expression of proteins in prokaryotes is most often carried out in E. coli with vectors containing constitutive or inducible promoters directing the expression of either fusion or non-fusion proteins. Fusion vectors add a number of amino acids to a protein encoded therein, usually to the amino terminus of the recombinant protein. Such fusion vectors typically serve three purposes: 1) to increase expression of recombinant protein; 2) to increase the solubility of the recombinant protein; and 3) to aid in the purification of the recombinant protein by acting as a ligand in affinity purification. Often, in fusion expression vectors, a proteolytic cleavage site is introduced at the junction of the fusion moiety and the recombinant protein to enable separation of the recombinant protein from the fusion moiety subsequent to purification of the fusion protein. Such enzymes, and their cognate recognition sequences, include Factor Xa, thrombin and enterokinase. Typical fusion expression vectors include pGEX (Pharmacia Biotech Inc; Smith, D. B. and Johnson, K. S. (1988) Gene 67:31-40), pMAL (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.) and pRIT5 (Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J.) which fuse glutathione S-transferase (GST), maltose E binding protein, or protein A, respectively, to the target recombinant protein.

[0127] Purified fusion proteins can be utilized in ERG-LP activity assays, (e.g., direct assays or competitive assays described in detail below), or to generate antibodies specific for ERG-LP proteins, for example. In a preferred embodiment, an ERG-LP fusion protein expressed in a retroviral expression vector of the present invention can be utilized to infect bone marrow cells which are subsequently transplanted into irradiated recipients. The pathology of the subject recipient is then examined after sufficient time has passed (e.g., six (6) weeks).

[0128] Examples of suitable inducible non-fusion E. coli expression vectors include pTrc (Amann et al., (1988) Gene 69:301-315) and pET 1 Id (Studieretal., Gene Expression Technology: Methods in Enzymology 185, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. (1990) 60-89). Target gene expression from the pTrc vector relies on host RNA polymerase transcription from a hybrid trp-lac fusion promoter. Target gene expression from the pET 11d vector relies on transcription from a T7 gn10-lac fusion promoter mediated by a coexpressed viral RNA polymerase (T7 gn1). This viral polymerase is supplied by host strains BL21 (DE3) or HMS174(DE3) from a resident prophage harboring a T7 gn1 gene under the transcriptional control of the lacUV 5 promoter.

[0129] One strategy to maximize recombinant protein expression in E. coli is to express the protein in a host bacteria with an impaired capacity to proteolytically cleave the recombinant protein (Gottesman, S., Gene Expression Technology: Methods in Enzymology 185, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. (1990) 119-128). Another strategy is to alter the nucleic acid sequence of the nucleic acid to be inserted into an expression vector so that the individual codons for each amino acid are those preferentially utilized in E. coli (Wada et al., (1992) Nucleic Acids Res. 20:2111-2118). Such alteration of nucleic acid sequences of the invention can be carried out by standard DNA synthesis techniques.

[0130] In another embodiment, the ERG-LP expression vector is a yeast expression vector. Examples of vectors for expression in yeast S. cerivisae include pYepSec 1 (Baldari, et al., (1987) Embo J. 6:229-234), pMFa (Kurjan and Herskowitz, (1982) Cell 30:933-943), pJRY88 (Schultz et al., (1987) Gene 54:113-123), pYES2 (Invitrogen Corporation, San Diego, Calif.), and picZ (InVitrogen Corp, San Diego, Calif.).

[0131] Alternatively, ERG-LP proteins can be expressed in insect cells using baculovirus expression vectors. Baculovirus vectors available for expression of proteins in cultured insect cells (e.g., Sf 9 cells) include the pAc series (Smith et al. (1983) Mol. Cell Biol. 3:2156-2165) and the pVL series (Lucklow and Summers (1989) Virology 170:31-39).

[0132] In yet another embodiment, a nucleic acid of the invention is expressed in mammalian cells using a mammalian expression vector. Examples of mammalian expression vectors include pCDM8 (Seed, B. (1987) Nature 329:840) and pMT2PC (Kaufman et al. (1987) EMBO J. 6:187-195). When used in mammalian cells, the expression vector's control functions are often provided by viral regulatory elements. For example, commonly used promoters are derived from polyoma, Adenovirus 2, cytomegalovirus and Simian Virus 40. For other suitable expression systems for both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells see chapters 16 and 17 of Sambrook, J., Fritsh, E. F., and Maniatis, T. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. 2nd, ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989.

[0133] In another embodiment, the recombinant mammalian expression vector is capable of directing expression of the nucleic acid preferentially in a particular cell type (e.g., tissue-specific regulatory elements are used to express the nucleic acid). Tissue-specific regulatory elements are known in the art. Non-limiting examples of suitable tissue-specific promoters include the albumin promoter (liver-specific; Pinkert et al. (1987) Genes Dev. 1:268-277), lymphoid-specific promoters (Calame and Eaton (1988) Adv. Immunol. 43:235-275), in particular promoters of T cell receptors (Winoto and Baltimore (1989) EMBO J. 8:729-733) and immunoglobulins (Banerji et al. (1983) Cell 33:729-740; Queen and Baltimore (1983) Cell 33:741-748), neuron-specific promoters (e.g., the neurofilament promoter; Byrne and Ruddle (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:5473-5477), pancreas-specific promoters (Edlund et al. (1985) Science 230:912-916), and mammary gland-specific promoters (e.g., milk whey promoter; U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,316 and European Application Publication No. 264,166). Developmentally-regulated promoters are also encompassed, for example the murine hox promoters (Kessel and Gruss (1990) Science 249:374-379) and the α-fetoprotein promoter (Campes and Tilghman (1989) Genes Dev. 3:537-546).

[0134] The invention further provides a recombinant expression vector comprising a DNA molecule of the invention cloned into the expression vector in an antisense orientation. That is, the DNA molecule is operatively linked to a regulatory sequence in a manner which allows for expression (by transcription of the DNA molecule) of an RNA molecule which is antisense to ERG-LP mRNA. Regulatory sequences operatively linked to a nucleic acid cloned in the antisense orientation can be chosen which direct the continuous expression of the antisense RNA molecule in a variety of cell types, for instance viral promoters and/or enhancers, or regulatory sequences can be chosen which direct constitutive, tissue specific or cell type specific expression of antisense RNA. The antisense expression vector can be in the form of a recombinant plasmid, phagemid or attenuated virus in which antisense nucleic acids are produced under the control of a high efficiency regulatory region, the activity of which can be determined by the cell type into which the vector is introduced. For a discussion of the regulation of gene expression using antisense genes see Weintraub, H. et al., Antisense RNA as a molecular tool for genetic analysis, Reviews—Trends in Genetics, Vol. 1(1) 1986.

[0135] Another aspect of the invention pertains to host cells into which a recombinant expression vector of the invention has been introduced. The terms “host cell” and “recombinant host cell” are used interchangeably herein. It is understood that such terms refer not only to the particular subject cell but to the progeny or potential progeny of such a cell. Because certain modifications may occur in succeeding generations due to either mutation or environmental influences, such progeny may not, in fact, be identical to the parent cell, but are still included within the scope of the term as used herein.

[0136] A host cell can be any prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell. For example, an ERG-LP protein can be expressed in bacterial cells such as E. coli, insect cells, yeast or mammalian cells (such as Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) or COS cells). Other suitable host cells are known to those skilled in the art.

[0137] Vector DNA can be introduced into prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells via conventional transformation or transfection techniques. As used herein, the terms “transformation” and “transfection” are intended to refer to a variety of art-recognized techniques for introducing foreign nucleic acid (e.g., DNA) into a host cell, including calcium phosphate or calcium chloride co-precipitation, DEAE-dextran-mediated transfection, lipofection, or electroporation. Suitable methods for transforming or transfecting host cells can be found in Sambrook, et al. (Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. 2nd, ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989), and other laboratory manuals.

[0138] For stable transfection of mannnalian cells, it is known that, depending upon the expression vector and transfection technique used, only a small fraction of cells may integrate the foreign DNA into their genome. In order to identify and select these integrants, a gene that encodes a selectable marker (e.g., resistance to antibiotics) is generally introduced into the host cells along with the gene of interest. Preferred selectable markers include those which confer resistance to drugs, such as G418, hygromycin and methotrexate. Nucleic acid encoding a selectable marker can be introduced into a host cell on the same vector as that encoding an ERG-LP protein or can be introduced on a separate vector. Cells stably transfected with the introduced nucleic acid can be identified by drug selection (e.g., cells that have incorporated the selectable marker gene will survive, while the other cells die).

[0139] A host cell of the invention, such as a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell in culture, can be used to produce (i.e., express) an ERG-LP protein. Accordingly, the invention further provides methods for producing an ERG-LP protein using the host cells of the invention. In one embodiment, the method comprises culturing the host cell of invention (into which a recombinant expression vector encoding an ERG-LP protein has been introduced) in a suitable medium such that an ERG-LP protein is produced. In another embodiment, the method further comprises isolating an ERG-LP protein from the medium or the host cell.

[0140] The host cells of the invention can also be used to produce non-human transgenic animals. For example, in one embodiment, a host cell of the invention is a fertilized oocyte or an embryonic stem cell into which ERG-LP-coding sequences have been introduced. Such host cells can then be used to create non-human transgenic animals in which exogenous ERG-LP sequences have been introduced into their genome or homologous recombinant animals in which endogenous ERG-LP sequences have been altered. Such animals are useful for studying the function and/or activity of an ERG-LP and for identifying and/or evaluating modulators of ERG-LP activity. As used herein, a “transgenic animal” is a non-human animal, preferably a mammal, more preferably a rodent such as a rat or mouse, in which one or more of the cells of the animal includes a transgene. Other examples of transgenic animals include non-human primates, sheep, dogs, cows, goats, chickens, amphibians, etc. A transgene is exogenous DNA which is integrated into the genome of a cell from which a transgenic animal develops and which remains in the genome of the mature animal, thereby directing the expression of an encoded gene product in one or more cell types or tissues of the transgenic animal. As used herein, a “homologous recombinant animal” is a non-human animal, preferably a mammal, more preferably a mouse, in which an endogenous ERG-LP gene has been altered by homologous recombination between the endogenous gene and an exogenous DNA molecule introduced into a cell of the animal, e.g., an embryonic cell of the animal, prior to development of the animal.

[0141] A transgenic animal of the invention can be created by introducing an ERG-LP-encoding nucleic acid into the male pronuclei of a fertilized oocyte, e.g., by microinjection, retroviral infection, and allowing the oocyte to develop in a pseudopregnant female foster animal. The ERG-LP cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO: I can be introduced as a transgene into the genome of a non-human animal. Alternatively, a nonhuman homologue of a human ERG-LP gene, such as a mouse or rat ERG-LP gene, can be used as a transgene. Alternatively, an ERG-LP gene homologue, such as another ERG potassium channel family member, can be isolated based on hybridization to the ERG-LP cDNA sequences of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9 or the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______ (described further in subsection I above) and used as a transgene. Intronic sequences and polyadenylation signals can also be included in the transgene to increase the efficiency of expression of the transgene. A tissue-specific regulatory sequence(s) can be operably linked to an ERG-LP transgene to direct expression of an ERG-LP protein to particular cells. Methods for generating transgenic animals via embryo manipulation and microinjection, particularly animals such as mice, have become conventional in the art and are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,736,866 and 4,870,009, both by Leder et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,191 by Wagner et al. and in Hogan, B., Manipulating the Mouse Embryo, (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1986). Similar methods are used for production of other transgenic animals. A transgenic founder animal can be identified based upon the presence of an ERG-LP transgene in its genome and/or expression of ERG-LP mRNA in tissues or cells of the animals. A transgenic founder animal can then be used to breed additional animals carrying the transgene. Moreover, transgenic animals carrying a transgene encoding an ERG-LP protein can further be bred to other transgenic animals carrying other transgenes.

[0142] To create a homologous recombinant animal, a vector is prepared which contains at least a portion of an ERG-LP gene into which a deletion, addition or substitution has been introduced to thereby alter, e.g., functionally disrupt, the ERG-LP gene. The ERG-LP gene can be a human gene (e.g., the cDNA of SEQ ID NO:6), but more preferably, is a non-human homologue of a human ERG-LP gene (e.g., a cDNA isolated by stringent hybridization with the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:4). For example, a mouse ERG-LP gene can be used to construct a homologous recombination vector suitable for altering an endogenous ERG-LP gene in the mouse genome. In a preferred embodiment, the vector is designed such that, upon homologous recombination, the endogenous ERG-LP gene is functionally disrupted (i.e., no longer encodes a functional protein; also referred to as a “knock out” vector). Alternatively, the vector can be designed such that, upon homologous recombination, the endogenous ERG-LP gene is mutated or otherwise altered but still encodes functional protein (e.g., the upstream regulatory region can be altered to thereby alter the expression of the endogenous ERG-LP protein). In the homologous recombination vector, the altered portion of the ERG-LP gene is flanked at its 5′ and 3′ ends by additional nucleic acid sequence of the ERG-LP gene to allow for homologous recombination to occur between the exogenous ERG-LP gene carried by the vector and an endogenous ERG-LP gene in an embryonic stem cell. The additional flanking ERG-LP nucleic acid sequence is of sufficient length for successful homologous recombination with the endogenous gene. Typically, several kilobases of flanking DNA (both at the 5′ and 3′ ends) are included in the vector (see e.g., Thomas, K. R. and Capecchi, M. R. (1987) Cell 51:503 for a description of homologous recombination vectors). The vector is introduced into an embryonic stem cell line (e.g., by electroporation) and cells in which the introduced ERG-LP gene has homologously recombined with the endogenous ERG-LP gene are selected (see e.g., Li, E. et al. (1992) Cell 69:915). The selected cells are then injected into a blastocyst of an animal (e.g., a mouse) to form aggregation chimeras (see e.g., Bradley, A. in Teratocarcinomas and Embryonic Stem Cells: A Practical Approach, E. J. Robertson, ed. (IRL, Oxford, 1987) pp. 113-152). A chimeric embryo can then be implanted into a suitable pseudopregnant female foster animal and the embryo brought to term. Progeny harboring the homologously recombined DNA in their germ cells can be used to breed animals in which all cells of the animal contain the homologously recombined DNA by germline transmission of the transgene. Methods for constructing homologous recombination vectors and homologous recombinant animals are described further in Bradley, A. (1991) Current Opinion in Biotechnology 2:823-829 and in PCT International Publication Nos.: WO 90/11354 by Le Mouellec et al.; WO 91/01140 by Smithies et al.; WO 92/0968 by Zijlstra et al.; and WO 93/04169 by Bems et al.

[0143] In another embodiment, transgenic non-humans animals can be produced which contain selected systems which allow for regulated expression of the transgene. One example of such a system is the cre/loxP recombinase system of bacteriophage P 1. For a description of the cre/loxP recombinase system, see, e.g., Lakso et al. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:6232-6236. Another example of a recombinase system is the FLP recombinase system of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (O'Gorman et al. (1991) Science 251:1351-1355. If a cre/loxP recombinase system is used to regulate expression of the transgene, animals containing transgenes encoding both the Cre recombinase and a selected protein are required. Such animals can be provided through the construction of “double” transgenic animals, e.g., by mating two transgenic animals, one containing a transgene encoding a selected protein and the other containing a transgene encoding a recombinase.

[0144] Clones of the non-human transgenic animals described herein can also be produced according to the methods described in Wilmut, I. et al. (1997) Nature 385:810-813 and PCT International Publication Nos. WO 97/07668 and WO 97/07669. In brief, a cell, e.g., a somatic cell, from the transgenic animal can be isolated and induced to exit the growth cycle and enter Go phase. The quiescent cell can then be fused, e.g., through the use of electrical pulses, to an enucleated oocyte from an animal of the same species from which the quiescent cell is isolated. The recontructed oocyte is then cultured such that it develops to morula or blastocyte and then transferred to pseudopregnant female foster animal. The offspring borne of this female foster animal will be a clone of the animal from which the cell, e.g., the somatic cell, is isolated.

[0145] IV. Pharmaceutical Compositions

[0146] The ERG-LP nucleic acid molecules, fragments of ERG-LP proteins, and anti-ERG-LP antibodies (also referred to herein as “active compounds”) of the invention can be incorporated into pharmaceutical compositions suitable for administration. Such compositions typically comprise the nucleic acid molecule, protein, or antibody and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. As used herein the language “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” is intended to include any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like, compatible with pharmaceutical administration. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutically active substances is well known in the art. Except insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible with the active compound, use thereof in the compositions is contemplated. Supplementary active compounds can also be incorporated into the compositions.

[0147] A pharmaceutical composition of the invention is formulated to be compatible with its intended route of administration. Examples of routes of administration include parenteral, e.g., intravenous, intradermal, subcutaneous, oral (e.g., inhalation), transdermal (topical), transmucosal, and rectal administration. Solutions or suspensions used for parenteral, intradermal, or subcutaneous application can include the following components: a sterile diluent such as water for injection, saline solution, fixed oils, polyethylene glycols, glycerine, propylene glycol or other synthetic solvents; antibacterial agents such as benzyl alcohol or methyl parabens; antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfite; chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; buffers such as acetates, citrates or phosphates and agents for the adjustment of tonicity such as sodium chloride or dextrose. pH can be adjusted with acids or bases, such as hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide. The parenteral preparation can be enclosed in ampoules, disposable syringes or multiple dose vials made of glass or plastic.

[0148] Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for injectable use include sterile aqueous solutions (where water soluble) or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersion. For intravenous administration, suitable carriers include physiological saline, bacteriostatic water, Cremophor ELTM (BASF, Parsippany, N.J.) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). In all cases, the composition must be sterile and should be fluid to the extent that easy syringability exists. It must be stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage and must be preserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyetheylene glycol, and the like), and suitable mixtures thereof. The proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersion and by the use of surfactants. Prevention of the action of microorganisms can be achieved by various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, ascorbic acid, thimerosal, and the like. In many cases, it will be preferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars, polyalcohols such as manitol, sorbitol, sodium chloride in the composition. Prolonged absorption of the injectable compositions can be brought about by including in the composition an agent which delays absorption, for example, aluminum monostearate and gelatin.

[0149] Sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incorporating the active compound (e.g., a fragment of an ERG-LP protein or an anti-ERG-LP antibody) in the required amount in an appropriate solvent with one or a combination of ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed by filtered sterilization. Generally, dispersions are prepared by incorporating the active compound into a sterile vehicle which contains a basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients from those enumerated above. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions, the preferred methods of preparation are vacuum drying and freeze-drying which yields a powder of the active ingredient plus any additional desired ingredient from a previously sterile-filtered solution thereof.

[0150] Oral compositions generally include an inert diluent or an edible carrier. They can be enclosed in gelatin capsules or compressed into tablets. For the purpose of oral therapeutic administration, the active compound can be incorporated with excipients and used in the form of tablets, troches, or capsules. Oral compositions can also be prepared using a fluid carrier for use as a mouthwash, wherein the compound in the fluid carrier is applied orally and swished and expectorated or swallowed. Pharmaceutically compatible binding agents, and/or adjuvant materials can be included as part of the composition. The tablets, pills, capsules, troches and the like can contain any of the following ingredients, or compounds of a similar nature: a binder such as microcrystalline cellulose, gum tragacanth or gelatin; an excipient such as starch or lactose, a disintegrating agent such as alginic acid, Primogel, or corn starch; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate or Sterotes; a glidant such as colloidal silicon dioxide; a sweetening agent such as sucrose or saccharin; or a flavoring agent such as peppermint, methyl salicylate, or orange flavoring.

[0151] For administration by inhalation, the compounds are delivered in the form of an aerosol spray from pressured container or dispenser which contains a suitable propellant, e.g., a gas such as carbon dioxide, or a nebulizer.

[0152] Systemic administration can also be by transmucosal or transdermal means. For transmucosal or transdermal administration, penetrants appropriate to the barrier to be permeated are used in the formulation. Such penetrants are generally known in the art, and include, for example, for transmucosal administration, detergents, bile salts, and fusidic acid derivatives. Transmucosal administration can be accomplished through the use of nasal sprays or suppositories. For transdermal administration, the active compounds are formulated into ointments, salves, gels, or creams as generally known in the art.

[0153] The compounds can also be prepared in the form of suppositories (e.g., with conventional suppository bases such as cocoa butter and other glycerides) or retention enemas for rectal delivery.

[0154] In one embodiment, the active compounds are prepared with carriers that will protect the compound against rapid elimination from the body, such as a controlled release formulation, including implants and microencapsulated delivery systems. Biodegradable, biocompatible polymers can be used, such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyanhydrides, polyglycolic acid, collagen, polyorthoesters, and polylactic acid. Methods for preparation of such formulations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The materials can also be obtained commercially from Alza Corporation and Nova Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Liposomal suspensions (including liposomes targeted to infected cells with monoclonal antibodies to viral antigens) can also be used as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. These can be prepared according to methods known to those skilled in the art, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,811.

[0155] It is especially advantageous to formulate oral or parenteral compositions in dosage unit form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. Dosage unit form as used herein refers to physically discrete units suited as unitary dosages for the subject to be treated; each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active compound calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required pharmaceutical carrier. The specification for the dosage unit forms of the invention are dictated by and directly dependent on the unique characteristics of the active compound and the particular therapeutic effect to be achieved, and the limitations inherent in the art of compounding such an active compound for the treatment of individuals.

[0156] Toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of such compounds can be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or experimental animals, e.g., for determining the LD50 (the dose lethal to 50% of the population) and the ED50 (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the population). The dose ratio between toxic and therapeutic effects is the therapeutic index and it can be expressed as the ratio LD50/ED50. Compounds which exhibit large therapeutic indices are preferred. While compounds that exhibit toxic side effects may be used, care should be taken to design a delivery system that targets such compounds to the site of affected tissue in order to minimize potential damage to uninfected cells and, thereby, reduce side effects.

[0157] The data obtained from the cell culture assays and animal studies can be used in formulating a range of dosage for use in humans. The dosage of such compounds lies preferably within a range of circulating concentrations that include the ED50 with little or no toxicity. The dosage may vary within this range depending upon the dosage form employed and the route of administration utilized. For any compound used in the method of the invention, the therapeutically effective dose can be estimated initially from cell culture assays. A dose may be formulated in animal models to achieve a circulating plasma concentration range that includes the IC50 (i.e., the concentration of the test compound which achieves a half-maximal inhibition of symptoms) as determined in cell culture. Such information can be used to more accurately determine useful doses in humans. Levels in plasma may be measured, for example, by high performance liquid chromatography.

[0158] The nucleic acid molecules of the invention can be inserted into vectors and used as gene therapy vectors. Gene therapy vectors can be delivered to a subject by, for example, intravenous injection, local administration (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,470) or by stereotactic injection (see e.g., Chen et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:3054-3057). The pharmaceutical preparation of the gene therapy vector can include the gene therapy vector in an acceptable diluent, or can comprise a slow release matrix in which the gene delivery vehicle is imbedded. Alternatively, where the complete gene delivery vector can be produced intact from recombinant cells, e.g., retroviral vectors, the pharmaceutical preparation can include one or more cells which produce the gene delivery system.

[0159] The pharmaceutical compositions can be included in a container, pack, or dispenser together with instructions for administration.

[0160] V. Uses and Methods of the Invention

[0161] The nucleic acid molecules, proteins, protein homologues, and antibodies described herein can be used in one or more of the following methods: a) screening assays; b) predictive medicine (e.g., diagnostic assays, prognostic assays, monitoring clinical trials, and pharmacogenetics); and c) methods of treatment (e.g., therapeutic and prophylactic). As described herein, an ERG-LP protein of the invention has one or more of the following activities: (1) it can modulate the release of neurotransmitters, (2) it can modulate membrane excitability, (3) it can influence the resting potential of membranes, (4) it can modulate wave forms and frequencies of action potentials, (5) it can modulate thresholds of excitation, and (6) it can modulate processes which underlie learning and memory, such as integration of sub-threshold synaptic responses and the conductance of back-propagating action potentials, and, thus, can be used to, for example, (1) modulate the release of neurotransmitters, (2) modulate membrane excitability, (3) influence the resting potential of membranes, (4) modulate wave forms and frequencies of action potentials, (5) modulate thresholds of excitation, and (6) modulate processes which underlie learning and memory, such as integration of sub-threshold synaptic responses and the conductance of back-propagating action potentials.

[0162] The isolated nucleic acid molecules of the invention can be used, for example, to express ERG-LP protein (e.g., via a recombinant expression vector in a host cell in gene therapy applications), to detect ERG-LP mRNA (e.g., in a biological sample) or a genetic alteration in an ERG-LP gene, and to modulate ERG-LP activity, as described further below. The ERG-LP proteins can be used to treat disorders characterized by insufficient or excessive production of an ERG-LP substrate or production of ERG-LP inhibitors. In addition, the ERG-LP proteins can be used to screen for naturally occurring ERG-LP substrates, to screen for drugs or compounds which modulate ERG-LP activity, as well as to treat disorders characterized by insufficient or excessive production of ERG-LP protein or production of ERG-LP protein forms which have decreased or aberrant activity compared to ERG-LP wild type protein (e.g., CNS disorders such as neurodegenerative disorders, e.g., Alzheimer's disease, dementias related to Alzheimer's disease (such as Pick's disease), Parkinson's and other Lewy diffuse body diseases, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, progressive supranuclear palsy, epilepsy and Jakob-Creutzfieldt disease; psychiatric disorders, e.g., depression, schizophrenic disorders, korsakoffs psychosis, mania, anxiety disorders, or phobic disorders; learning or memory disorders, e.g., amnesia or age-related memory loss; neurological disorders, e.g., migraine; obesity; and cardiac disorders, e.g., cardiac arrythmia). Moreover, the anti-ERG-LP antibodies of the invention can be used to detect and isolate ERG-LP proteins, regulate the bioavailability of ERG-LP proteins, and modulate ERG-LP activity.

[0163] A. Screening Assays:

[0164] The invention provides a method (also referred to herein as a “screening assay”) for identifying modulators, i.e., candidate or test compounds or agents (e.g., peptides, peptidomimetics, small molecules or other drugs) which bind to ERG-LP proteins, have a stimulatory or inhibitory effect on, for example, ERG-LP expression or ERG-LP activity, or have a stimulatory or inhibitory effect on, for example, the expression or activity of ERG-LP substrate.

[0165] In one embodiment, the invention provides assays for screening candidate or test compounds which are substrates of an ERG-LP protein or polypeptide or biologically active portion thereof. In another embodiment, the invention provides assays for screening candidate or test compounds which bind to or modulate the activity of an ERG-LP protein or polypeptide or biologically active portion thereof. The test compounds of the present invention can be obtained using any of the numerous approaches in combinatorial library methods known in the art, including: biological libraries; spatially addressable parallel solid phase or solution phase libraries; synthetic library methods requiring deconvolution; the ‘one-bead one-compound’ library method; and synthetic library methods using affinity chromatography selection. The biological library approach is limited to peptide libraries, while the other four approaches are applicable to peptide, non-peptide oligomer or small molecule libraries of compounds (Lam, K. S. (1997) Anticancer Drug Des. 12:145).

[0166] Examples of methods for the synthesis of molecular libraries can be found in the art, for example in: DeWitt et al. (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90:6909; Erb et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:11422; Zuckermann et al. (1994). J. Med. Chem. 37:2678; Cho et al. (1993) Science 261:1303; Carrell et al. (1994) Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 33:2059; Carell et al. (1994) Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 33:2061; and in Gallop et al. (1994) J. Med. Chem. 37:1233.

[0167] Libraries of compounds may be presented in solution (e.g., Houghten (1992) Biotechniques 13:412-421), or on beads (Lam (1991) Nature 354:82-84), chips (Fodor (1993) Nature 364:555-556), bacteria (Ladner U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,409), spores (Ladner U.S. Pat. No. '409), plasmids (Cull et al. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:1865-1869) or on phage (Scott and Smith (1990) Science 249:386-390); (Devlin (1990) Science 249:404-406); (Cwirla et al. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad Sci. 87:6378-6382); (Felici (1991) J. Mol. Biol. 222:301-310); (Ladner supra.).

[0168] In one embodiment, an assay is a cell-based assay in which a cell which expresses an ERG-LP protein or biologically active portion thereof is contacted with a test compound and the ability of the test compound to modulate ERG-LP activity is determined. Determining the ability of the test compound to modulate ERG-LP activity can be accomplished by monitoring, for example, the release of a neurotransmitter form a cell which expresses ERG-LP. The cell, for example, can be of mammalian origin. Determining the ability of the test compound to modulate the ability of ERG-LP to bind to a substrate can be accomplished, for example, by coupling the ERG-LP substrate with a radioisotope or enzymatic label such that binding of the ERG-LP substrate to ERG-LP can be determined by detecting the labeled ERG-LP substrate in a complex. For example, compounds (e.g., ERG-LP substrates) can be labeled with ¹²⁵I, ³⁵S, ¹⁴C, or ³H, either directly or indirectly, and the radioisotope detected by direct counting of radioemmission or by scintillation counting. Alternatively, compounds can be enzymatically labeled with, for example, horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, or luciferase, and the enzymatic label detected by determination of conversion of an appropriate substrate to product.

[0169] It is also within the scope of this invention to determine the ability of a compound (e.g., ERG-LP substrate) to interact with ERG-LP without the labeling of any of the interactants. For example, a microphysiometer can be used to detect the interaction of a compound with ERG-LP without the labeling of either the compound or the ERG-LP. McConnell, H. M. et al. (1992) Science 257:1906-1912. As used herein, a “microphysiometer” (e.g., Cytosensor) is an analytical instrument that measures the rate at which a cell acidifies its environment using a light-addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS). Changes in this acidification rate can be used as an indicator of the interaction between a compound and ERG-LP.

[0170] In another embodiment, an assay is a cell-based assay comprising contacting a cell expressing an ERG-LP target molecule (e.g., an ERG-LP substrate) with a test compound and determining the ability of the test compound to modulate (e.g. stimulate or inhibit) the activity of the ERG-LP target molecule. Determining the ability of the test compound to modulate the activity of an ERG-LP target molecule can be accomplished, for example, by determining the ability of the ERG-LP protein to bind to or interact with the ERG-LP target molecule.

[0171] Determining the ability of the ERG-LP protein or a biologically active fragment thereof, to bind to or interact with an ERG-LP target molecule can be accomplished by one of the methods described above for determining direct binding. In a preferred embodiment, determining the ability of the ERG-LP protein to bind to or interact with an ERG-LP target molecule can be accomplished by determining the activity of the target molecule. For example, the activity of the target molecule can be determined by detecting induction of a cellular second messenger of the target (i.e., intracellular Ca²⁺, diacylglycerol, IP₃, and the like), detecting catalytic/enzymatic activity of the target an appropriate substrate, detecting the induction of a reporter gene (comprising a target-responsive regulatory element operatively linked to a nucleic acid encoding a detectable marker, e.g., luciferase), or detecting a target-regulated cellular response.

[0172] In yet another embodiment, an assay of the present invention is a cell-free assay in which an ERG-LP protein or biologically active portion thereof is contacted with a test compound and the ability of the test compound to bind to the ERG-LP protein or biologically active portion thereof is determined. Preferred biologically active portions of the ERG-LP proteins to be used in assays of the present invention include fragments which participate in interactions with non-ERG-LP molecules, e.g., cyclic nucleotides, or fragments with high surface probability scores (see, for example, FIGS. 6 and 7). Binding of the test compound to the ERG-LP protein can be determined either directly or indirectly as described above. In a preferred embodiment, the assay includes contacting the ERG-LP protein or biologically active portion thereof with a known compound which binds ERG-LP to form an assay mixture, contacting the assay mixture with a test compound, and determining the ability of the test compound to interact with an ERG-LP protein, wherein determining the ability of the test compound to interact with an ERG-LP protein comprises determining the ability of the test compound to preferentially bind to ERG-LP or biologically active portion thereof as compared to the known compound.

[0173] In another embodiment, the assay is a cell-free assay in which an ERG-LP protein or biologically active portion thereof is contacted with a test compound and the ability of the test compound to modulate (e.g., stimulate or inhibit) the activity of the ERG-LP protein or biologically active portion thereof is determined. Determining the ability of the test compound to modulate the activity of an ERG-LP protein can be accomplished, for example, by determining the ability of the ERG-LP protein to bind to an ERG-LP target molecule by one of the methods described above for determining direct binding. Determining the ability of the ERG-LP protein to bind to an ERG-LP target molecule can also be accomplished using a technology such as real-time Biomolecular Interaction Analysis (BIA). Sjolander, S. and Urbaniczky, C. (1991) Anal. Chem. 63:2338-2345 and Szabo et al. (1995) Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 5:699-705. As used herein, “BIA” is a technology for studying biospecific interactions in real time, without labeling any of the interactants (e.g., BIAcore). Changes in the optical phenomenon of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) can be used as an indication of real-time reactions between biological molecules.

[0174] In an alternative embodiment, determining the ability of the test compound to modulate the activity of an ERG-LP protein can be accomplished by determining the ability of the ERG-LP protein to further modulate the activity of a downstream effector of an ERG-LP target molecule. For example, the activity of the effector molecule on an appropriate target can be determined or the binding of the effector to an appropriate target can be determined as previously described.

[0175] In yet another embodiment, the cell-free assay involves contacting an ERG-LP protein or biologically active portion thereof with a known compound which binds the ERG-LP protein to form an assay mixture, contacting the assay mixture with a test compound, and determining the ability of the test compound to interact with the ERG-LP protein, wherein determining the ability of the test compound to interact with the ERG-LP protein comprises determining the ability of the ERG-LP protein to preferentially bind to or modulate the activity of an ERG-LP target molecule.

[0176] The cell-free assays of the present invention are amenable to use of both soluble and/or membrane-bound forms of isolated proteins (e.g., ERG-LP proteins or biologically active portions thereof). In the case of cell-free assays in which a membrane-bound form an isolated protein is used (e.g., a potassium channel) it may be desirable to utilize a solubilizing agent such that the membrane-bound form of the isolated protein is maintained in solution. Examples of such solubilizing agents include non-ionic detergents such as n-octylglucoside, n-dodecylglucoside, n-dodecylmaltoside, octanoyl-N-methylglucamide, decanoyl-N-methylglucamide, Triton®X-100, Triton®X-114, Thesit®, Isotridecypoly(ethylene glycol ether)_(n), 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylamminio]-1-propane sulfonate (CHAPS), 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylamminio]-2-hydroxy-1-propane sulfonate (CHAPSO), or N-dodecyl═N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propane sulfonate.

[0177] In more than one embodiment of the above assay methods of the present invention, it may be desirable to immobilize either ERG-LP or its target molecule to facilitate separation of complexed from uncomplexed forms of one or both of the proteins, as well as to accommodate automation of the assay. Binding of a test compound to an ERG-LP protein, or interaction of an ERG-LP protein with a target molecule in the presence and absence of a candidate compound, can be accomplished in any vessel suitable for containing the reactants. Examples of such vessels include microtitre plates, test tubes, and micro-centrifuge tubes. In one embodiment, a fusion protein can be provided which adds a domain that allows one or both of the proteins to be bound to a matrix. For example, glutathione-S-transferase/ERG-LP fusion proteins or glutathione-S-transferase/target fusion proteins can be adsorbed onto glutathione sepharose beads (Sigma Chemical, St. Louis, Mo.) or glutathione derivatized microtitre plates, which are then combined with the test compound or the test compound and either the non-adsorbed target protein or ERG-LP protein, and the mixture incubated under conditions conducive to complex formation (e.g., at physiological conditions for salt and pH). Following incubation, the beads or microtitre plate wells are washed to remove any unbound components, the matrix immobilized in the case of beads, complex determined either directly or indirectly, for example, as described above. Alternatively, the complexes can be dissociated from the matrix, and the level of ERG-LP binding or activity determined using standard techniques.

[0178] Other techniques for immobilizing proteins on matrices can also be used in the screening assays of the invention. For example, either an ERG-LP protein or an ERG-LP target molecule can be immobilized utilizing conjugation of biotin and streptavidin. Biotinylated ERG-LP protein or target molecules can be prepared from biotin-NHS (N-hydroxy-succinimide) using techniques known in the art (e.g., biotinylation kit, Pierce Chemicals, Rockford, IL), and immobilized in the wells of streptavidin-coated 96 well plates (Pierce Chemical). Alternatively, antibodies reactive with ERG-LP protein or target molecules but which do not interfere with binding of the ERG-LP protein to its target molecule can be derivatized to the wells of the plate, and unbound target or ERG-LP protein trapped in the wells by antibody conjugation. Methods for detecting such complexes, in addition to those described above for the GST-immobilized complexes, include immunodetection of complexes using antibodies reactive with the ERG-LP protein or target molecule, as well as enzyme-linked assays which rely on detecting an enzymatic activity associated with the ERG-LP protein or target molecule.

[0179] In another embodiment, modulators of ERG-LP expression are identified in a method wherein a cell is contacted with a candidate compound and the expression of ERG-LP mRNA or protein in the cell is determined. The level of expression of ERG-LP mRNA or protein in the presence of the candidate compound is compared to the level of expression of ERG-LP mRNA or protein in the absence of the candidate compound. The candidate compound can then be identified as a modulator of ERG-LP expression based on this comparison. For example, when expression of ERG-LP mRNA or protein is greater (statistically significantly greater) in the presence of the candidate compound than in its absence, the candidate compound is identified as a stimulator of ERG-LP mRNA or protein expression. Alternatively, when expression of ERG-LP mRNA or protein is less (statistically significantly less) in the presence of the candidate compound than in its absence, the candidate compound is identified as an inhibitor of ERG-LP mRNA or protein expression. The level of ERG-LP mRNA or protein expression in the cells can be determined by methods described herein for detecting ERG-LP mRNA or protein.

[0180] In yet another aspect of the invention, the ERG-LP proteins can be used as “bait proteins” in a two-hybrid assay or three-hybrid assay (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,317; Zervos et al. (1993) Cell 72:223-232; Madura et al. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268:12046-12054; Bartel et al. (1993) Biotechniques 14:920-924; Iwabuchi et al. (1993) Oncogene 8:1693-1696; and Brent WO94/10300), to identify other proteins, which bind to or interact with ERG-LP (“ERG-LP-binding proteins” or “ERG-LP-bp”) and are involved in ERG-LP activity. Such ERG-LP-binding proteins are also likely to be involved in the propagation of signals by the ERG-LP proteins or ERG-LP targets as, for example, downstream elements of an ERG-LP-mediated signaling pathway. Alternatively, such ERG-LP-binding proteins are likely to be ERG-LP inhibitors.

[0181] The two-hybrid system is based on the modular nature of most transcription factors, which consist of separable DNA-binding and activation domains. Briefly, the assay utilizes two different DNA constructs. In one construct, the gene that codes for an ERG-LP protein is fused to a gene encoding the DNA binding domain of a known transcription factor (e.g., GAL-4). In the other construct, a DNA sequence, from a library of DNA sequences, that encodes an unidentified protein (“prey” or “sample”) is fused to a gene that codes for the activation domain of the known transcription factor. If the “bait” and the “prey” proteins are able to interact, in vivo, forming an ERG-LP-dependent complex, the DNA-binding and activation domains of the transcription factor are brought into close proximity. This proximity allows transcription of a reporter gene (e.g., LacZ) which is operably linked to a transcriptional regulatory site responsive to the transcription factor. Expression of the reporter gene can be detected and cell colonies containing the functional transcription factor can be isolated and used to obtain the cloned gene which encodes the protein which interacts with the ERG-LP protein.

[0182] This invention further pertains to novel agents identified by the above-described screening assays. Accordingly, it is within the scope of this invention to further use an agent identified as described herein in an appropriate animal model. For example, an agent identified as described herein (e.g., an ERG-LP modulating agent, an antisense ERG-LP nucleic acid molecule, an ERG-LP-specific antibody, or an ERG-LP-binding partner) can be used in an animal model to determine the efficacy, toxicity, or side effects of treatment with such an agent. Alternatively, an agent identified as described herein can be used in an animal model to determine the mechanism of action of such an agent. Furthermore, this invention pertains to uses of novel agents identified by the above-described screening assays for treatments as described herein.

[0183] B. Detection Assays

[0184] Portions or fragments of the cDNA sequences identified herein (and the corresponding complete gene sequences) can be used in numerous ways as polynucleotide reagents. For example, these sequences can be used to: (i) map their respective genes on a chromosome; and, thus, locate gene regions associated with genetic disease; (ii) identify an individual from a minute biological sample (tissue typing); and (iii) aid in forensic identification of a biological sample. These applications are described in the subsections below.

[0185] 1. Chromosome Mapping

[0186] Once the sequence (or a portion of the sequence) of a gene has been isolated, this sequence can be used to map the location of the gene on a chromosome. This process is called chromosome mapping. Accordingly, portions or fragments of the ERG-LP nucleotide sequences, described herein, can be used to map the location of the ERG-LP genes on a chromosome. The mapping of the ERG-LP sequences to chromosomes is an important first step in correlating these sequences with genes associated with disease.

[0187] Briefly, ERG-LP genes can be mapped to chromosomes by preparing PCR primers (preferably 15-25 bp in length) from the ERG-LP nucleotide sequences. Computer analysis of the ERG-LP sequences can be used to predict primers that do not span more than one exon in the genomic DNA, thus complicating the amplification process. These primers can then be used for PCR screening of somatic cell hybrids containing individual human chromosomes. Only those hybrids containing the human gene corresponding to the ERG-LP sequences will yield an amplified fragment.

[0188] Somatic cell hybrids are prepared by fusing somatic cells from different mammals (e.g., human and mouse cells). As hybrids of human and mouse cells grow and divide, they gradually lose human chromosomes in random order, but retain the mouse chromosomes. By using media in which mouse cells cannot grow, because they lack a particular enzyme, but human cells can, the one human chromosome that contains the gene encoding the needed enzyme, will be retained. By using various media, panels of hybrid cell lines can be established. Each cell line in a panel contains either a single human chromosome or a small number of human chromosomes, and a full set of mouse chromosomes, allowing easy mapping of individual genes to specific human chromosomes. (D'Eustachio P. et al. (1983) Science 220:919-924). Somatic cell hybrids containing only fragments of human chromosomes can also be produced by using human chromosomes with translocations and deletions.

[0189] PCR mapping of somatic cell hybrids is a rapid procedure for assigning a particular sequence to a particular chromosome. Three or more sequences can be assigned per day using a single thermal cycler. Using the ERG-LP nucleotide sequences to design oligonucleotide primers, sublocalization can be achieved with panels of fragments from specific chromosomes. Other mapping strategies which can similarly be used to map an ERG-LP sequence to its chromosome include in situ hybridization (described in Fan, Y. et al. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 87:6223-27), pre-screening with labeled flow-sorted chromosomes, and pre-selection by hybridization to chromosome specific cDNA libraries.

[0190] Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of a DNA sequence to a metaphase chromosomal spread can further be used to provide a precise chromosomal location in one step. Chromosome spreads can be made using cells whose division has been blocked in metaphase by a chemical such as colcemid that disrupts the mitotic spindle. The chromosomes can be treated briefly with trypsin, and then stained with Giemsa. A pattern of light and dark bands develops on each chromosome, so that the chromosomes can be identified individually. The FISH technique can be used with a DNA sequence as short as 500 or 600 bases. However, clones larger than 1,000 bases have a higher likelihood of binding to a unique chromosomal location with sufficient signal intensity for simple detection. Preferably 1,000 bases, and more preferably 2,000 bases will suffice to get good results at a reasonable amount of time. For a review of this technique, see Verma et al., Human Chromosomes: A Manual of Basic Techniques (Pergamon Press, New York 1988).

[0191] Reagents for chromosome mapping can be used individually to mark a single chromosome or a single site on that chromosome, or panels of reagents can be used for marking multiple sites and/or multiple chromosomes. Reagents corresponding to noncoding regions of the genes actually are preferred for mapping purposes. Coding sequences are more likely to be conserved within gene families, thus increasing the chance of cross hybridizations during chromosomal mapping.

[0192] Once a sequence has been mapped to a precise chromosomal location, the physical position of the sequence on the chromosome can be correlated with genetic map data. (Such data are found, for example, in V. McKusick, Mendelian Inheritance in Man, available on-line through Johns Hopkins University Welch Medical Library). The relationship between a gene and a disease, mapped to the same chromosomal region, can then be identified through linkage analysis (co-inheritance of physically adjacent genes), described in, for example, Egeland, J. et al. (1987) Nature, 325:783-787.

[0193] Moreover, differences in the DNA sequences between individuals affected and unaffected with a disease associated with the ERG-LP gene, can be determined. If a mutation is observed in some or all of the affected individuals but not in any unaffected individuals, then the mutation is likely to be the causative agent of the particular disease. Comparison of affected and unaffected individuals generally involves first looking for structural alterations in the chromosomes, such as deletions or translocations that are visible from chromosome spreads or detectable using PCR based on that DNA sequence. Ultimately, complete sequencing of genes from several individuals can be performed to confirm the presence of a mutation and to distinguish mutations from polymorphisms.

[0194] 2. Tissue Typing

[0195] The ERG-LP sequences of the present invention can also be used to identify individuals from minute biological samples. The United States military, for example, is considering the use of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) for identification of its personnel. In this technique, an individual's genomic DNA is digested with one or more restriction enzymes, and probed on a Southern blot to yield unique bands for identification. This method does not suffer from the current limitations of “Dog Tags” which can be lost, switched, or stolen, making positive identification difficult. The sequences of the present invention are useful as additional DNA markers for RFLP (described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,057).

[0196] Furthermore, the sequences of the present invention can be used to provide an alternative technique which determines the actual base-by-base DNA sequence of selected portions of an individual's genome. Thus, the ERG-LP nucleotide sequences described herein can be used to prepare two PCR primers from the 5′ and 3′ ends of the sequences. These primers can then be used to amplify an individual's DNA and subsequently sequence it.

[0197] Panels of corresponding DNA sequences from individuals, prepared in this manner, can provide unique individual identifications, as each individual will have a unique set of such DNA sequences due to allelic differences. The sequences of the present invention can be used to obtain such identification sequences from individuals and from tissue. The ERG-LP nucleotide sequences of the invention uniquely represent portions of the human genome. Allelic variation occurs to some degree in the coding regions of these sequences, and to a greater degree in the noncoding regions. It is estimated that allelic variation between individual humans occurs with a frequency of about once per each 500 bases. Each of the sequences described herein can, to some degree, be used as a standard against which DNA from an individual can be compared for identification purposes. Because greater numbers of polymorphisms occur in the noncoding regions, fewer sequences are necessary to differentiate individuals. The noncoding sequences of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:4, or SEQ ID NO:7, can comfortably provide positive individual identification with a panel of perhaps 10 to 1,000 primers which each yield a noncoding amplified sequence of 100 bases. If predicted coding sequences, such as those in SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:6, or SEQ ID NO:9 are used, a more appropriate number of primers for positive individual identification would be 500-2,000.

[0198] If a panel of reagents from ERG-LP nucleotide sequences described herein is used to generate a unique identification database for an individual, those same reagents can later be used to identify tissue from that individual. Using the unique identification database, positive identification of the individual, living or dead, can be made from extremely small tissue samples.

[0199] 3. Use of Partial ERG-LP Sequences in Forensic Biology

[0200] DNA-based identification techniques can also be used in forensic biology. Forensic biology is a scientific field employing genetic typing of biological evidence found at a crime scene as a means for positively identifying, for example, a perpetrator of a crime. To make such an identification, PCR technology can be used to amplify DNA sequences taken from very small biological samples such as tissues, e.g., hair or skin, or body fluids, e.g., blood, saliva, or semen found at a crime scene. The amplified sequence can then be compared to a standard, thereby allowing identification of the origin of the biological sample.

[0201] The sequences of the present invention can be used to provide polynucleotide reagents, e.g., PCR primers, targeted to specific loci in the human genome, which can enhance the reliability of DNA-based forensic identifications by, for example, providing another “identification marker” (i.e. another DNA sequence that is unique to a particular individual). As mentioned above, actual base sequence information can be used for identification as an accurate alternative to patterns formed by restriction enzyme generated fragments. Sequences targeted to noncoding regions of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:4, or SEQ ID NO:7 are particularly appropriate for this use as greater numbers of polymorphisms occur in the noncoding regions, making it easier to differentiate individuals using this technique. Examples of polynucleotide reagents include the ERG-LP nucleotide sequences or portions thereof, e.g., fragments derived from the noncoding regions of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:4, having a length of at least 20 bases, preferably at least 30 bases.

[0202] The ERG-LP nucleotide sequences described herein can further be used to provide polynucleotide reagents, e.g., labeled or labelable probes which can be used in, for example, an in situ hybridization technique, to identify a specific tissue, e.g., brain tissue. This can be very useful in cases where a forensic pathologist is presented with a tissue of unknown origin. Panels of such ERG-LP probes can be used to identify tissue by species and/or by organ type.

[0203] In a similar fashion, these reagents, e.g., ERG-LP primers or probes can be used to screen tissue culture for contamination (i.e. screen for the presence of a mixture of different types of cells in a culture).

[0204] C. Predictive Medicine:

[0205] The present invention also pertains to the field of predictive medicine in which diagnostic assays, prognostic assays, and monitoring clinical trials are used for prognostic (predictive) purposes to thereby treat an individual prophylactically. Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention relates to diagnostic assays for determining ERG-LP protein and/or nucleic acid expression as well as ERG-LP activity, in the context of a biological sample (e.g., blood, serum, cells, tissue) to thereby determine whether an individual is afflicted with a disease or disorder, or is at risk of developing a disorder, associated with aberrant ERG-LP expression or activity. The invention also provides for prognostic (or predictive) assays for determining whether an individual is at risk of developing a disorder associated with ERG-LP protein, nucleic acid expression or activity. For example, mutations in an ERG-LP gene can be assayed in a biological sample. Such assays can be used for prognostic or predictive purpose to thereby phophylactically treat an individual prior to the onset of a disorder characterized by or associated with ERG-LP protein, nucleic acid expression or activity.

[0206] Another aspect of the invention pertains to monitoring the influence of agents (e.g., drugs, compounds) on the expression or activity of ERG-LP in clinical trials.

[0207] These and other agents are described in further detail in the following sections.

[0208] 1. Diagnostic Assays

[0209] An exemplary method for detecting the presence or absence of ERG-LP protein or nucleic acid in a biological sample involves obtaining a biological sample from a test subject and contacting the biological sample with a compound or an agent capable of detecting ERG-LP protein or nucleic acid (e.g., mRNA, genomic DNA) that encodes ERG-LP protein such that the presence of ERG-LP protein or nucleic acid is detected in the biological sample. A preferred agent for detecting ERG-LP mRNA or genomic DNA is a labeled nucleic acid probe capable of hybridizing to ERG-LP mRNA or genomic DNA. The nucleic acid probe can be, for example, a full-length ERG-LP nucleic acid, such as the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, or the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______, or a portion thereof, such as an oligonucleotide of at least 15, 30, 50, 100, 250 or 500 nucleotides in length and sufficient to specifically hybridize under stringent conditions to ERG-LP mRNA or genomic DNA. Other suitable probes for use in the diagnostic assays of the invention are described herein.

[0210] A preferred agent for detecting ERG-LP protein is an antibody capable of binding to ERG-LP protein, preferably an antibody with a detectable label. Antibodies can be polyclonal, or more preferably, monoclonal. An intact antibody, or a fragment thereof (e.g., Fab or F(ab′)₂) can be used. The term “labeled”, with regard to the probe or antibody, is intended to encompass direct labeling of the probe or antibody by coupling (i.e., physically linking) a detectable substance to the probe or antibody, as well as indirect labeling of the probe or antibody by reactivity with another reagent that is directly labeled. Examples of indirect labeling include detection of a primary antibody using a fluorescently labeled secondary antibody and end-labeling of a DNA probe with biotin such that it can be detected with fluorescently labeled streptavidin. The term “biological sample” is intended to include tissues, cells and biological fluids isolated from a subject, as well as tissues, cells and fluids present within a subject. That is, the detection method of the invention can be used to detect ERG-LP mRNA, protein, or genomic DNA in a biological sample in vitro as well as in vivo. For example, in vitro techniques for detection of ERG-LP mRNA include Northern hybridizations and in situ hybridizations. In vitro techniques for detection of ERG-LP protein include enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), Western blots, immunoprecipitations and immunofluorescence. In vitro techniques for detection of ERG-LP genomic DNA include Southern hybridizations. Furthermore, in vivo techniques for detection of ERG-LP protein include introducing into a subject a labeled anti-ERG-LP antibody. For example, the antibody can be labeled with a radioactive marker whose presence and location in a subject can be detected by standard imaging techniques.

[0211] In one embodiment, the biological sample contains protein molecules from the test subject. Alternatively, the biological sample can contain mRNA molecules from the test subject or genomic DNA molecules from the test subject. A preferred biological sample is a serum sample isolated by conventional means from a subject.

[0212] In another embodiment, the methods further involve obtaining a control biological sample from a control subject, contacting the control sample with a compound or agent capable of detecting ERG-LP protein, mRNA, or genomic DNA, such that the presence of ERG-LP protein, mRNA or genomic DNA is detected in the biological sample, and comparing the presence of ERG-LP protein, mRNA or genomic DNA in the control sample with the presence of ERG-LP protein, mRNA or genomic DNA in the test sample.

[0213] The invention also encompasses kits for detecting the presence of ERG-LP in a biological sample. For example, the kit can comprise a labeled compound or agent capable of detecting ERG-LP protein or mRNA in a biological sample; means for determining the amount of ERG-LP in the sample; and means for comparing the amount of ERG-LP in the sample with a standard. The compound or agent can be packaged in a suitable container. The kit can further comprise instructions for using the kit to detect ERG-LP protein or nucleic acid.

[0214] 2. Prognostic Assays

[0215] The diagnostic methods described herein can furthermore be utilized to identify subjects having or at risk of developing a disease or disorder associated with aberrant ERG-LP expression or activity. For example, the assays described herein, such as the preceding diagnostic assays or the following assays, can be utilized to identify a subject having or at risk of developing a disorder associated with a misregulation in ERG-LP protein activity or nucleic acid expression, such as a CNS disorder. Alternatively, the prognostic assays can be utilized to identify a subject having or at risk for developing a disorder associated with a misregulation in ERG-LP protein activity or nucleic acid expression, such as a CNS disorder. Thus, the present invention provides a method for identifying a disease or disorder associated with aberrant ERG-LP expression or activity in which a test sample is obtained from a subject and ERG-LP protein or nucleic acid (e.g., mRNA or genomic DNA) is detected, wherein the presence of ERG-LP protein or nucleic acid is diagnostic for a subject having or at risk of developing a disease or disorder associated with aberrant ERG-LP expression or activity. As used herein, a “test sample” refers to a biological sample obtained from a subject of interest. For example, a test sample can be a biological fluid (e.g., serum), cell sample, or tissue.

[0216] Furthermore, the prognostic assays described herein can be used to determine whether a subject can be administered an agent (e.g., an agonist, antagonist, peptidomimetic, protein, peptide, nucleic acid, small molecule, or other drug candidate) to treat a disease or disorder associated with aberrant ERG-LP expression or activity. For example, such methods can be used to determine whether a subject can be effectively treated with an agent for a CNS disorder. Thus, the present invention provides methods for determining whether a subject can be effectively treated with an agent for a disorder associated with aberrant ERG-LP expression or activity in which a test sample is obtained and ERG-LP protein or nucleic acid expression or activity is detected (e.g., wherein the abundance of ERG-LP protein or nucleic acid expression or activity is diagnostic for a subject that can be administered the agent to treat a disorder associated with aberrant ERG-LP expression or activity).

[0217] The methods of the invention can also be used to detect genetic alterations in an ERG-LP gene, thereby determining if a subject with the altered gene is at risk for a disorder characterized by misregulation in ERG-LP protein activity or nucleic acid expression, such as a CNS disorder. In preferred embodiments, the methods include detecting, in a sample of cells from the subject, the presence or absence of a genetic alteration characterized by at least one of an alteration affecting the integrity of a gene encoding an ERG-LP-protein, or the mis-expression of the ERG-LP gene. For example, such genetic alterations can be detected by ascertaining the existence of at least one of 1) a deletion of one or more nucleotides from an ERG-LP gene; 2) an addition of one or more nucleotides to an ERG-LP gene; 3) a substitution of one or more nucleotides of an ERG-LP gene, 4) a chromosomal rearrangement of an ERG-LP gene; 5) an alteration in the level of a messenger RNA transcript of an ERG-LP gene, 6) aberrant modification of an ERG-LP gene, such as of the methylation pattern of the genomic DNA, 7) the presence of a non-wild type splicing pattern of a messenger RNA transcript of an ERG-LP gene, 8) a non-wild type level of an ERG-LP-protein, 9) allelic loss of an ERG-LP gene, and 10) inappropriate post-translational modification of an ERG-LP-protein. As described herein, there are a large number of assays known in the art which can be used for detecting alterations in an ERG-LP gene. A preferred biological sample is a tissue or serum sample isolated by conventional means from a subject.

[0218] In certain embodiments, detection of the alteration involves the use of a probe/primer in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195 and 4,683,202), such as anchor PCR or RACE PCR, or, alternatively, in a ligation chain reaction (LCR) (see, e.g., Landegran et al. (1988) Science 241:1077-1080; and Nakazawa et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91:360-364), the latter of which can be particularly useful for detecting point mutations in the ERG-LP-gene (see Abravaya et al. (1995) Nucleic Acids Res. 23:675-682). This method can include the steps of collecting a sample of cells from a subject, isolating nucleic acid (e.g., genomic, mRNA or both) from the cells of the sample, contacting the nucleic acid sample with one or more primers which specifically hybridize to an ERG-LP gene under conditions such that hybridization and amplification of the ERG-LP-gene (if present) occurs, and detecting the presence or absence of an amplification product, or detecting the size of the amplification product and comparing the length to a control sample. It is anticipated that PCR and/or LCR may be desirable to use as a preliminary amplification step in conjunction with any of the techniques used for detecting mutations described herein.

[0219] Alternative amplification methods include: self sustained sequence replication (Guatelli, J. C. et al., (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:1874-1878), transcriptional amplification system (Kwoh, D. Y. et al., (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:1173-1177), Q-Beta Replicase (Lizardi, P. M. et al. (1988) Bio-Technology 6:1197), or any other nucleic acid amplification method, followed by the detection of the amplified molecules using techniques well known to those of skill in the art. These detection schemes are especially useful for the detection of nucleic acid molecules if such molecules are present in very low numbers.

[0220] In an alternative embodiment, mutations in an ERG-LP gene from a sample cell can be identified by alterations in restriction enzyme cleavage patterns. For example, sample and control DNA is isolated, amplified (optionally), digested with one or more restriction endonucleases, and fragment length sizes are determined by gel electrophoresis and compared. Differences in fragment length sizes between sample and control DNA indicates mutations in the sample DNA. Moreover, the use of sequence specific ribozymes (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,531) can be used to score for the presence of specific mutations by development or loss of a ribozyme cleavage site.

[0221] In other embodiments, genetic mutations in ERG-LP can be identified by hybridizing a sample and control nucleic acids, e.g., DNA or RNA, to high density arrays containing hundreds or thousands of oligonucleotides probes (Cronin, M. T. et al. (1996) Human Mutation 7: 244-255; Kozal, M. J. et al. (1996) Nature Medicine 2: 753-759). For example, genetic mutations in ERG-LP can be identified in two dimensional arrays containing light-generated DNA probes as described in Cronin, M. T. et al. supra. Briefly, a first hybridization array of probes can be used to scan through long stretches of DNA in a sample and control to identify base changes between the sequences by making linear arrays of sequential overlapping probes. This step allows the identification of point mutations. This step is followed by a second hybridization array that allows the characterization of specific mutations by using smaller, specialized probe arrays complementary to all variants or mutations detected. Each mutation array is composed of parallel probe sets, one complementary to the wild-type gene and the other complementary to the mutant gene.

[0222] In yet another embodiment, any of a variety of sequencing reactions known in the art can be used to directly sequence the ERG-LP gene and detect mutations by comparing the sequence of the sample ERG-LP with the corresponding wild-type (control) sequence. Examples of sequencing reactions include those based on techniques developed by Maxam and Gilbert ((1977) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 74:560) or Sanger ((1977) Proc. Natl. Acad Sci. USA 74:5463). It is also contemplated that any of a variety of automated sequencing procedures can be utilized when performing the diagnostic assays ((1995) Biotechniques 19:448), including sequencing by mass spectrometry (see, e.g., PCT International Publication No. WO 94/16101; Cohen et al. (1996) Adv. Chromatogr. 36:127-162; and Griffin et al. (1993) Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 38:147-159).

[0223] Other methods for detecting mutations in the ERG-LP gene include methods in which protection from cleavage agents is used to detect mismatched bases in RNA/RNA or RNA/DNA heteroduplexes (Myers et al. (1985) Science 230:1242). In general, the art technique of “mismatch cleavage” starts by providing heteroduplexes of formed by hybridizing (labeled) RNA or DNA containing the wild-type ERG-LP sequence with potentially mutant RNA or DNA obtained from a tissue sample. The double-stranded duplexes are treated with an agent which cleaves single-stranded regions of the duplex such as which will exist due to basepair mismatches between the control and sample strands. For instance, RNA/DNA duplexes can be treated with RNase and DNA/DNA hybrids treated with S1 nuclease to enzymatically digesting the mismatched regions. In other embodiments, either DNA/DNA or RNA/DNA duplexes can be treated with hydroxylamine or osmium tetroxide and with piperidine in order to digest mismatched regions. After digestion of the mismatched regions, the resulting material is then separated by size on denaturing polyacrylamide gels to determine the site of mutation. See, for example, Cotton et al. (1988) Proc. Natl Acad Sci USA 85:4397; Saleeba et al. (1992) Methods Enzymol. 217:286-295. In a preferred embodiment, the control DNA or RNA can be labeled for detection.

[0224] In still another embodiment, the mismatch cleavage reaction employs one or more proteins that recognize mismatched base pairs in double-stranded DNA (so called “DNA mismatch repair” enzymes) in defined systems for detecting and mapping point mutations in ERG-LP cDNAs obtained from samples of cells. For example, the mutY enzyme of E. coli cleaves A at G/A mismatches and the thymidine DNA glycosylase from HeLa cells cleaves T at G/T mismatches (Hsu et al. (1994) Carcinogenesis 15:1657-1662). According to an exemplary embodiment, a probe based on an ERG-LP sequence, e.g., a wild-type ERG-LP sequence, is hybridized to a cDNA or other DNA product from a test cell(s). The duplex is treated with a DNA mismatch repair enzyme, and the cleavage products, if any, can be detected from electrophoresis protocols or the like. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,039.

[0225] In other embodiments, alterations in electrophoretic mobility will be used to identify mutations in ERG-LP genes. For example, single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) may be used to detect differences in electrophoretic mobility between mutant and wild type nucleic acids (Orita et al. (1989) Proc Natl. Acad. Sci USA: 86:2766, see also Cotton (1993) Mutat. Res. 285:125-144; and Hayashi (1992) Genet. Anal. Tech. Appl. 9:73-79). Single-stranded DNA fragments of sample and control ERG-LP nucleic acids will be denatured and allowed to renature. The secondary structure of single-stranded nucleic acids varies according to sequence, the resulting alteration in electrophoretic mobility enables the detection of even a single base change. The DNA fragments may be labeled or detected with labeled probes. The sensitivity of the assay may be enhanced by using RNA (rather than DNA), in which the secondary structure is more sensitive to a change in sequence. In a preferred embodiment, the subject method utilizes heteroduplex analysis to separate double stranded heteroduplex molecules on the basis of changes in electrophoretic mobility (Keen et al. (1991) Trends Genet 7:5).

[0226] In yet another embodiment the movement of mutant or wild-type fragments in polyacrylamide gels containing a gradient of denaturant is assayed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) (Myers et al. (1985) Nature 313:495). When DGGE is used as the method of analysis, DNA will be modified to insure that it does not completely denature, for example by adding a GC clamp of approximately 40 bp of high-melting GC-rich DNA by PCR. In a further embodiment, a temperature gradient is used in place of a denaturing gradient to identify differences in the mobility of control and sample DNA (Rosenbaum and Reissner (1987) Biophys Chem 265:12753).

[0227] Examples of other techniques for detecting point mutations include, but are not limited to, selective oligonucleotide hybridization, selective amplification, or selective primer extension. For example, oligonucleotide primers may be prepared in which the known mutation is placed centrally and then hybridized to target DNA under conditions which permit hybridization only if a perfect match is found (Saiki et al. (1986) Nature 324:163); Saiki et al. (1989) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci USA 86:6230). Such allele specific oligonucleotides are hybridized to PCR amplified target DNA or a number of different mutations when the oligonucleotides are attached to the hybridizing membrane and hybridized with labeled target DNA.

[0228] Alternatively, allele specific amplification technology which depends on selective PCR amplification may be used in conjunction with the instant invention. Oligonucleotides used as primers for specific amplification may carry the mutation of interest in the center of the molecule (so that amplification depends on differential hybridization) (Gibbs et al. (1989) Nucleic Acids Res. 17:2437-2448) or at the extreme 3′ end of one primer where, under appropriate conditions, mismatch can prevent, or reduce polymerase extension (Prossner (1993) Tibtech 11:238). In addition it may be desirable to introduce a novel restriction site in the region of the mutation to create cleavage-based detection (Gasparini et al. (1992) Mol. Cell Probes 6:1). It is anticipated that in certain embodiments amplification may also be performed using Taq ligase for amplification (Barany (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 88:189). In such cases, ligation will occur only if there is a perfect match at the 3′ end of the 5′ sequence making it possible to detect the presence of a known mutation at a specific site by looking for the presence or absence of amplification.

[0229] The methods described herein may be performed, for example, by utilizing pre-packaged diagnostic kits comprising at least one probe nucleic acid or antibody reagent described herein, which may be conveniently used, e.g., in clinical settings to diagnose patients exhibiting symptoms or family history of a disease or illness involving an ERG-LP gene.

[0230] Furthermore, any cell type or tissue in which ERG-LP is expressed may be utilized in the prognostic assays described herein.

[0231] 3. Monitoring of Effects During Clinical Trials

[0232] Monitoring the influence of agents (e.g., drugs) on the expression or activity of an ERG-LP protein (e.g., the modulation of membrane excitability or resting potential) can be applied not only in basic drug screening, but also in clinical trials. For example, the effectiveness of an agent determined by a screening assay as described herein to increase ERG-LP gene expression, protein levels, or upregulate ERG-LP activity, can be monitored in clinical trials of subjects exhibiting decreased ERG-LP gene expression, protein levels, or downregulated ERG-LP activity. Alternatively, the effectiveness of an agent determined by a screening assay to decrease ERG-LP gene expression, protein levels, or downregulate ERG-LP activity, can be monitored in clinical trials of subjects exhibiting increased ERG-LP gene expression, protein levels, or upregulated ERG-LP activity. In such clinical trials, the expression or activity of an ERG-LP gene, and preferably, other genes that have been implicated in, for example, a potassium channel associated disorder can be used as a “read out” or markers of the phenotype of a particular cell.

[0233] For example, and not by way of limitation, genes, including ERG-LP, that are modulated in cells by treatment with an agent (e.g., compound, drug or small molecule) which modulates ERG-LP activity (e.g., identified in a screening assay as described herein) can be identified. Thus, to study the effect of agents on potassium channel associated disorders, for example, in a clinical trial, cells can be isolated and RNA prepared and analyzed for the levels of expression of ERG-LP and other genes implicated in the potassium channel associated disorder, respectively. The levels of gene expression (e.g., a gene expression pattern) can be quantified by northern blot analysis or RT-PCR, as described herein, or alternatively by measuring the amount of protein produced, by one of the methods as described herein, or by measuring the levels of activity of ERG-LP or other genes. In this way, the gene expression pattern can serve as a marker, indicative of the physiological response of the cells to the agent. Accordingly, this response state may be determined before, and at various points during treatment of the individual with the agent.

[0234] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method for monitoring the effectiveness of treatment of a subject with an agent (e.g., an agonist, antagonist, peptidomimetic, protein, peptide, nucleic acid, small molecule, or other drug candidate identified by the screening assays described herein) including the steps of (i) obtaining a pre-administration sample from a subject prior to administration of the agent; (ii) detecting the level of expression of an ERG-LP protein, mRNA, or genomic DNA in the preadministration sample; (iii) obtaining one or more post-administration samples from the subject; (iv) detecting the level of expression or activity of the ERG-LP protein, mRNA, or genomic DNA in the post-administration samples; (v) comparing the level of expression or activity of the ERG-LP protein, mRNA, or genomic DNA in the pre-administration sample with the ERG-LP protein, mRNA, or genomic DNA in the post administration sample or samples; and (vi) altering the administration of the agent to the subject accordingly. For example, increased administration of the agent may be desirable to increase the expression or activity of ERG-LP to higher levels than detected, i.e., to increase the effectiveness of the agent. Alternatively, decreased administration of the agent may be desirable to decrease expression or activity of ERG-LP to lower levels than detected, i.e. to decrease the effectiveness of the agent. According to such an embodiment, ERG-LP expression or activity may be used as an indicator of the effectiveness of an agent, even in the absence of an observable phenotypic response.

[0235] C. Methods of Treatment:

[0236] The present invention provides for both prophylactic and therapeutic methods of treating a subject at risk of (or susceptible to) a disorder or having a disorder associated with aberrant ERG-LP expression or activity. With regards to both prophylactic and therapeutic methods of treatment, such treatments may be specifically tailored or modified, based on knowledge obtained from the field of pharmacogenomics. “Pharmacogenomics”, as used herein, refers to the application of genomics technologies such as gene sequencing, statistical genetics, and gene expression analysis to drugs in clinical development and on the market. More specifically, the term refers the study of how a patient's genes determine his or her response to a drug (e.g., a patient's “drug response phenotype”, or “drug response genotype”.) Thus, another aspect of the invention provides methods for tailoring an individual's prophylactic or therapeutic treatment with either the ERG-LP molecules of the present invention or ERG-LP modulators according to that individual's drug response genotype. Pharmacogenomics allows a clinician or physician to target prophylactic or therapeutic treatments to patients who will most benefit from the treatment and to avoid treatment of patients who will experience toxic drug-related side effects.

[0237] 1. Prophylactic Methods

[0238] In one aspect, the invention provides a method for preventing in a subject, a disease or condition associated with an aberrant ERG-LP expression or activity, by administering to the subject an ERG-LP or an agent which modulates ERG-LP expression or at least one ERG-LP activity. Subjects at risk for a disease which is caused or contributed to by aberrant ERG-LP expression or activity can be identified by, for example, any or a combination of diagnostic or prognostic assays as described herein. Administration of a prophylactic agent can occur prior to the manifestation of symptoms characteristic of the ERG-LP aberrancy, such that a disease or disorder is prevented or, alternatively, delayed in its progression. Depending on the type of ERG-LP aberrancy, for example, an ERG-LP, ERG-LP agonist or ERG-LP antagonist agent can be used for treating the subject. The appropriate agent can be determined based on screening assays described herein.

[0239] 2. Therapeutic Methods

[0240] Another aspect of the invention pertains to methods of modulating ERG-LP expression or activity for therapeutic purposes. Accordingly, in an exemplary embodiment, the modulatory method of the invention involves contacting a cell with an ERG-LP or agent that modulates one or more of the activities of ERG-LP protein activity associated with the cell. An agent that modulates ERG-LP protein activity can be an agent as described herein, such as a nucleic acid or a protein, a naturally-occurring target molecule of an ERG-LP protein (e.g., an ERG-LP substrate), an ERG-LP antibody, an ERG-LP agonist or antagonist, a peptidomimetic of an ERG-LP agonist or antagonist, or other small molecule. In one embodiment, the agent stimulates one or more ERG-LP activities. Examples of such stimulatory agents include active ERG-LP protein and a nucleic acid molecule encoding ERG-LP that has been introduced into the cell. In another embodiment, the agent inhibits one or more ERG-LP activities. Examples of such inhibitory agents include antisense ERG-LP nucleic acid molecules, anti-ERG-LP antibodies, and ERG-LP inhibitors. These modulatory methods can be performed in vitro (e.g., by culturing the cell with the agent) or, alternatively, in vivo (e.g., by administering the agent to a subject). As such, the present invention provides methods of treating an individual afflicted with a disease or disorder characterized by aberrant expression or activity of an ERG-LP protein or nucleic acid molecule. In one embodiment, the method involves administering an agent (e.g., an agent identified by a screening assay described herein), or combination of agents that modulates (e.g., upregulates or downregulates) ERG-LP expression or activity. In another embodiment, the method involves administering an ERG-LP protein or nucleic acid molecule as therapy to compensate for reduced or aberrant ERG-LP expression or activity.

[0241] Stimulation of ERG-LP activity is desirable in situations in which ERG-LP is abnormally downregulated and/or in which increased ERG-LP activity is likely to have a beneficial effect. For example, stimulation of ERG-LP activity is desirable in situations in which an ERG-LP is downregulated and/or in which increased ERG-LP activity is likely to have a beneficial effect. Likewise, inhibition of ERG-LP activity is desirable in situations in which ERG-LP is abnormally upregulated and/or in which decreased ERG-LP activity is likely to have a beneficial effect.

[0242] 3. Pharmacogenomics

[0243] The ERG-LP molecules of the present invention, as well as agents, or modulators which have a stimulatory or inhibitory effect on ERG-LP activity (e.g., ERG-LP gene expression) as identified by a screening assay described herein can be administered to individuals to treat (prophylactically or therapeutically) potassium channel associated disorders (e.g, CNS disorders such as neurodegenerative disorders, e.g., Alzheimer's disease, dementias related to Alzheimer's disease (such as Pick's disease), Parkinson's and other Lewy diffuse body diseases, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, progressive supranuclear palsy, epilepsy, and Jakob-Creutzfieldt disease; psychiatric disorders, e.g., depression, schizophrenic disorders, korsakoff s psychosis, mania, anxiety disorders, or phobic disorders; learning or memory disorders, e.g., amnesia or age-related memory loss; neurological disorders; e.g., migraine; and obesity) associated with aberrant ERG-LP activity. In conjunction with such treatment, pharmacogenomics (i.e., the study of the relationship between an individual's genotype and that individual's response to a foreign compound or drug) may be considered. Differences in metabolism of therapeutics can lead to severe toxicity or therapeutic failure by altering the relation between dose and blood concentration of the pharmacologically active drug. Thus, a physician or clinician may consider applying knowledge obtained in relevant pharmacogenomics studies in determining whether to administer an ERG-LP molecule or ERG-LP modulator as well as tailoring the dosage and/or therapeutic regimen of treatment with an ERG-LP molecule or ERG-LP modulator.

[0244] Pharmacogenomics deals with clinically significant hereditary variations in the response to drugs due to altered drug disposition and abnormal action in affected persons. See, for example, Eichelbaum, M. et al. (1996) Clin. Exp. Pharmacol. Physiol. 23(10-11) :983-985 and Linder, M. W. et al. (1997) Clin. Chem. 43(2):254-266. In general, two types of pharmacogenetic conditions can be differentiated. Genetic conditions transmitted as a single factor altering the way drugs act on the body (altered drug action) or genetic conditions transmitted as single factors altering the way the body acts on drugs (altered drug metabolism). These pharmacogenetic conditions can occur either as rare genetic defects or as naturally-occurring polymorphisms. For example, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) is a common inherited enzymopathy in which the main clinical complication is haemolysis after ingestion of oxidant drugs (anti-malarials, sulfonamides, analgesics, nitrofurans) and consumption of fava beans.

[0245] One pharmacogenomics approach to identifying genes that predict drug response, known as “a genome-wide association”, relies primarily on a high-resolution map of the human genome consisting of already known gene-related markers (e.g., a “bi-allelic” gene marker map which consists of 60,000-100,000 polymorphic or variable sites on the human genome, each of which has two variants.) Such a high-resolution genetic map can be compared to a map of the genome of each of a statistically significant number of patients taking part in a Phase II/III drug trial to identify markers associated with a particular observed drug response or side effect. Alternatively, such a high resolution map can be generated from a combination of some ten-million known single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human genome. As used herein, a “SNP” is a common alteration that occurs in a single nucleotide base in a stretch of DNA. For example, a SNP may occur once per every 1000 bases of DNA. A SNP may be involved in a disease process, however, the vast majority may not be disease-associated. Given a genetic map based on the occurrence of such SNPs, individuals can be grouped into genetic categories depending on a particular pattern of SNPs in their individual genome. In such a manner, treatment regimens can be tailored to groups of genetically similar individuals, taking into account traits that may be common among such genetically similar individuals.

[0246] Alternatively, a method termed the “candidate gene approach”, can be utilized to identify genes that predict drug response. According to this method, if a gene that encodes a drugs target is known (e.g., an ERG-LP protein of the present invention), all common variants of that gene can be fairly easily identified in the population and it can be determined if having one version of the gene versus another is associated with a particular drug response.

[0247] As an illustrative embodiment, the activity of drug metabolizing enzymes is a major determinant of both the intensity and duration of drug action. The discovery of genetic polymorphisms of drug metabolizing enzymes (e.g., N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT 2) and cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP2D6 and CYP2C19) has provided an explanation as to why some patients do not obtain the expected drug effects or show exaggerated drug response and serious toxicity after taking the standard and safe dose of a drug. These polymorphisms are expressed in two phenotypes in the population, the extensive metabolizer (EM) and poor metabolizer (PM). The prevalence of PM is different among different populations. For example, the gene coding for CYP2D6 is highly polymorphic and several mutations have been identified in PM, which all lead to the absence of functional CYP2D6. Poor metabolizers of CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 quite frequently experience exaggerated drug response and side effects when they receive standard doses. If a metabolite is the active therapeutic moiety, PM show no therapeutic response, as demonstrated for the analgesic effect of codeine mediated by its CYP2D6-formed metabolite morphine. The other extreme are the so called ultra-rapid metabolizers who do not respond to standard doses. Recently, the molecular basis of ultra-rapid metabolism has been identified to be due to CYP2D6 gene amplification.

[0248] Alternatively, a method termed the “gene expression profiling”, can be utilized to identify genes that predict drug response. For example, the gene expression of an animal dosed with a drug (e.g., an ERG-LP molecule or ERG-LP modulator of the present invention) can give an indication whether gene pathways related to toxicity have been turned on.

[0249] Information generated from more than one of the above pharmacogenomics approaches can be used to determine appropriate dosage and treatment regimens for prophylactic or therapeutic treatment an individual. This knowledge, when applied to dosing or drug selection, can avoid adverse reactions or therapeutic failure and thus enhance therapeutic or prophylactic efficiency when treating a subject with an ERG-LP molecule or ERG-LP modulator, such as a modulator identified by one of the exemplary screening assays described herein.

[0250] This invention is further illustrated by the following examples which should not be construed as limiting. The contents of all references, patents and published patent applications cited throughout this application are incorporated herein by reference.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Identification and Characterization of ERG-LP cDNA

[0251] In this example, the identification and characterization of the genes encoding human and monkey ERG-LP1 and human ERG-LP2 are described. Isolation of the human and monkey ERG-LP1 cDNA The invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery of a human and a monkey gene encoding a novel protein, referred to herein as ERG-LPI. An EST (jlkbc037e12) was identified in a monkey striatum library using the Sequence Explorer, which is 45% identical to the Drosophila ELK potassium channel (Accession Number U04246). Subsequently, a full length monkey clone (jlkba25d10) was identified in a monkey hippocampal library by analysis of a proprietary database using the Drosophila ELK potassium channel (Accession Number U04246) as a probe.

[0252] The sequence of the entire monkey clone was determined and found to contain an open reading frame of 1083 amino acids termed monkey “ERG-like protein 1” or ERG-LP 1. The nucleotide sequence encoding the monkey ERG-LPI protein is shown in FIG. 1 and is set forth as SEQ ID NO:1. The full length protein encoded by this nucleic acid comprises about 1083 amino acids and has the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 1 and set forth as SEQ ID NO:2. The coding region (open reading frame) of SEQ ID NO:1 is set forth as SEQ ID NO:3. Clone jlkba25d10, comprising the entire coding region of monkey ERG-LP1 was deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC®), Rockville, Md., on ______, and assigned Accession No. ______.

[0253] The human ERG-LP 1 was identified by searching a GenBank™ EST database. A human EST (IMAGE clone 37299) was identified with similarity to the 5′ end of the monkey jlkba25d10 clone. The sequence of the entire human clone was determined and found to contain an open reading frame of 290 amino acids termed human “ERG-like protein 1” or ERG-LP1. The nucleotide sequence encoding the human ERG-LP 1 protein is shown in FIG. 5 and is set forth as SEQ ID NO:7. The partial length protein encoded by this nucleic acid comprises about 290 amino acids and has the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 5 and set forth as SEQ ID NO:8. The coding region (open reading frame) of SEQ ID NO:7 is set forth as SEQ ID NO:9. Clone 37299, comprising the partial cDNA sequence of human ERG-LP 1 was deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC®), Rockville, Md., on ______, and assigned Accession No. ______.

[0254] Isolation of the Human ERG-LP2 cDNA

[0255] The invention is further based, at least in part, on the discovery of a human gene encoding a novel protein, referred to herein as ERG-LP2. The human gene was discovered by analysis of a proprietary database using the potassium channel clone Flh37299 as a probe. Clone jlhbaa042h05 from a human brain library was identified. This clone was picked, plasmid was prepared and sequenced. BlastP searching (BLASTTM searching utilizing an amino acid sequence against a protein database), using the translation product (frame 1) of this sequence, revealed homology to proteins belonging to the potassium channel superfamily, e.g., the human ERG channel and the Drosophila ELK channel.

[0256] The sequence of the entire clone was determined and found to contain an open reading frame of 542 amino acids termed “ERG-like protein 2” or ERG-LP2. The nucleotide sequence encoding the human ERG-LP2 protein is shown in FIG. 2 and is set forth as SEQ ID NO:4. The full length protein encoded by this nucleic acid comprises about 542 amino acids and has the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 2 and set forth as SEQ ID NO:5. The coding region (open reading frame) of SEQ ID NO:4 is set forth as SEQ ID NO:6. Clone jlhbaa042h05, comprising the entire coding region of human ERG-LP2 was deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC®), Rockville, Md., on ______, and assigned Accession No. ______.

[0257] Analysis of Monkey ERG-LP1

[0258] A BLAST search (Altschul et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol. 215:403) of the nucleotide and protein sequences of monkey ERG-LP1 revealed that ERG-LP1 is similar to the Drosophila ELK potassium channel protein (Accession Number U04246) and the human ERG potassium channel protein (Accession Number U04270). An alignment of monkey ERG-LP1 and the human ERG potassium channel protein is presented in FIG. 3. Hydropathy plots have identified 6 transmembrane domains and a P-loop in this protein.

[0259] Analysis of Human ERG-LP2

[0260] A BLAST search (Altschul et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol. 215:403) of the nucleotide and protein sequences of human ERG-LP2 revealed that ERG-LP2 is similar to the rat ERG potassium channel protein (Accession Number Z96106), the Drosophila ELK potassium channel protein (Accession Number U04246), and the human ERG potassium channel protein (Accession Number U04270). An alignment of human ERG-LP2 and the Drosophila ELK potassium channel protein is presented in FIG. 4. Hydropathy plots have identified 4 transmembrane domains in this protein.

[0261] Tissue Distribution of ERG-LP mRNA

[0262] This Example describes the tissue distribution of ERG-LP mRNA, as determined by Northern blot hybridization and PCR.

[0263] Northern blot hybridizations with the various RNA samples were performed under standard conditions and washed under stringent conditions, i.e., 0.2× SSC at 65° C. The DNA probe was radioactively labeled with ³²P-dCTP using the Prime-It kit (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.) according to the instructions of the supplier. Filters containing human mRNA (MultiTissue Northern I and MultiTissue Northern II from Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.) were probed in ExpressHyb hybridization solution (Clontech) and washed at high stringency according to manufacturer's recommendations. For the monkey ERG-LP1 gene, the probe was generated by PCR from the 3′ end of the gene. For the human ERG-LP2, the probe was generated from a region in the open reading frame which does not have any homology to the human ERG.

[0264] ERG-LP1 message was detected exclusively in the brain (expression was highest in cortical regions, hippocampus, caudate, and amygdala). The ERG-LP2 gene is expressed in the brain.

Example 2 Expression of Recombinant ERG-LP Protein in Bacterial Cells

[0265] In this example, ERG-LP is expressed as a recombinant glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion polypeptide in E. coli and the fusion polypeptide is isolated and characterized. Specifically, ERG-LP is fused to GST and this fusion polypeptide is expressed in E. coli, e.g., strain PEB199. Expression of the GST-ERG-LP fusion protein in PEB 199 is induced with IPTG. The recombinant fusion polypeptide is purified from crude bacterial lysates of the induced PEB 199 strain by affinity chromatography on glutathione beads. Using polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis of the polypeptide purified from the bacterial lysates, the molecular weight of the resultant fusion polypeptide is determined.

Example 3 Expression of Recombinant ERG-LP Protein in COS Cells

[0266] To express the ERG-LP gene in COS cells, the pcDNA/Amp vector by Invitrogen Corporation (San Diego, Calif.) is used. This vector contains an SV40 origin of replication, an ampicillin resistance gene, an E. coli replication origin, a CMV promoter followed by a polylinker region, and an SV40 intron and polyadenylation site. A DNA fragment encoding the entire ERG-LP protein and an HA tag (Wilson et al. (1984) Cell 37:767) or a FLAG tag fused in-frame to its 3′ end of the fragment is cloned into the polylinker region of the vector, thereby placing the expression of the recombinant protein under the control of the CMV promoter.

[0267] To construct the plasmid, the ERG-LP DNA sequence is amplified by PCR using two primers. The 5′ primer contains the restriction site of interest followed by approximately twenty nucleotides of the ERG-LP coding sequence starting from the initiation codon; the 3′ end sequence contains complementary sequences to the other restriction site of interest, a translation stop codon, the HA tag or FLAG tag and the last 20 nucleotides of the ERG-LP coding sequence. The PCR amplified fragment and the pCDNA/Amp vector are digested with the appropriate restriction enzymes and the vector is dephosphorylated using the CIAP enzyme (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.). Preferably the two restriction sites chosen are different so that the ERG-LP gene is inserted in the correct orientation. The ligation mixture is transformed into E. coli cells (strains HB 101, DH5a, SURE, available from Stratagene Cloning Systems, La Jolla, Calif., can be used), the transformed culture is plated on ampicillin media plates, and resistant colonies are selected. Plasmid DNA is isolated from transformants and examined by restriction analysis for the presence of the correct fragment.

[0268] COS cells are subsequently transfected with the ERG-LP-pcDNA/Amp plasmid DNA using the calcium phosphate or calcium chloride co-precipitation methods, DEAE-dextran-mediated transfection, lipofection, or electroporation. Other suitable methods for transfecting host cells can be found in Sambrook, J., Fritsh, E. F., and Maniatis, T. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. 2nd, ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989. The expression of the ERG-LP polypeptide is detected by radiolabelling (³⁵S-methionine or ³⁵S-cysteine available from NEN, Boston, Mass., can be used) and immunoprecipitation (Harlow, E. and Lane, D. Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1988) using an HA specific monoclonal antibody. Briefly, the cells are labelled for 8 hours with ³⁵S-methionine (or ³⁵S-cysteine). The culture media are then collected and the cells are lysed using detergents (RIPA buffer, 150 mM NaCl, 1% NP-40, 0.1% SDS, 0.5% DOC, 50 mM Tris, pH 7.5). Both the cell lysate and the culture media are precipitated with an HA specific monoclonal antibody. Precipitated polypeptides are then analyzed by SDS-PAGE.

[0269] Alternatively, DNA containing the ERG-LP coding sequence is cloned directly into the polylinker of the pCDNA/Amp vector using the appropriate restriction sites. The resulting plasmid is transfected into COS cells in the manner described above, and the expression of the ERG-LP polypeptide is detected by radiolabelling and immunoprecipitation using an ERG-LP specific monoclonal antibody.

[0270] Equivalents

[0271] Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

1 13 1 3355 DNA Monkey CDS (113)..(3352) 1 gggagcgcgg ggcccggcgg ggggcggccg agctgggcgc cctcccccgg cgcggagtcc 60 ccgcaccccg gagggatggg gccggcagcc gcgggcgcct aagatgccgg cc atg cgg 118 Met Arg 1 ggc ctc ctg gcg ccg cag aac acc ttc ctg gac acc atc gct acg cgc 166 Gly Leu Leu Ala Pro Gln Asn Thr Phe Leu Asp Thr Ile Ala Thr Arg 5 10 15 ttc gac ggc acg cac agt aac ttc gtg ctg ggc aac gcc cag gtg gcg 214 Phe Asp Gly Thr His Ser Asn Phe Val Leu Gly Asn Ala Gln Val Ala 20 25 30 ggg ctc ttc ccc gtg gtc tac tgc tct gat ggc ttc tgt gac ctc acg 262 Gly Leu Phe Pro Val Val Tyr Cys Ser Asp Gly Phe Cys Asp Leu Thr 35 40 45 50 ggc ttc tcc cgg gct gag gtc atg cag cgg ggc tgt gcc tgc tcc ttc 310 Gly Phe Ser Arg Ala Glu Val Met Gln Arg Gly Cys Ala Cys Ser Phe 55 60 65 ctt tat ggg cca gac acc agt gag ctc gtc cgc caa cag atc cgc aag 358 Leu Tyr Gly Pro Asp Thr Ser Glu Leu Val Arg Gln Gln Ile Arg Lys 70 75 80 gcc ctg gac gag cac aag gag ttc aag gct gag ctg atc ctg tac cgg 406 Ala Leu Asp Glu His Lys Glu Phe Lys Ala Glu Leu Ile Leu Tyr Arg 85 90 95 aag agc ggg ctc ccg ttc tgg tgt ctc ctg gat gtg ata ccc ata aag 454 Lys Ser Gly Leu Pro Phe Trp Cys Leu Leu Asp Val Ile Pro Ile Lys 100 105 110 aat gag aaa ggg gag gtg gct ctc ttc cta gtc tct cac aag gac atc 502 Asn Glu Lys Gly Glu Val Ala Leu Phe Leu Val Ser His Lys Asp Ile 115 120 125 130 agt gaa acc aag aac cga ggg ggc cct gac aga tgg aag gag aca ggt 550 Ser Glu Thr Lys Asn Arg Gly Gly Pro Asp Arg Trp Lys Glu Thr Gly 135 140 145 agt ggc cgg cgc cga tat ggc cgg gca cga tcc aaa ggc ttc aat gcc 598 Ser Gly Arg Arg Arg Tyr Gly Arg Ala Arg Ser Lys Gly Phe Asn Ala 150 155 160 aac cgg cgg cgg agc cgg gct gtg ctc tac cac ctg tcc ggg cac ctg 646 Asn Arg Arg Arg Ser Arg Ala Val Leu Tyr His Leu Ser Gly His Leu 165 170 175 cag aag cag ccc aag ggc aag cac aag ctc aat aag ggg gtg ttt ggg 694 Gln Lys Gln Pro Lys Gly Lys His Lys Leu Asn Lys Gly Val Phe Gly 180 185 190 gag aag cca aac ttg cct gag tac aaa gta gct gcc atc cgg aag tcg 742 Glu Lys Pro Asn Leu Pro Glu Tyr Lys Val Ala Ala Ile Arg Lys Ser 195 200 205 210 cct ttc atc ctg ttg cac tgt ggg gcg ctg agg gcc acc tgg gat ggc 790 Pro Phe Ile Leu Leu His Cys Gly Ala Leu Arg Ala Thr Trp Asp Gly 215 220 225 ttc atc ctg ctc gcc acg ctc tat gtg gct gtc acc gtg ccc tac agc 838 Phe Ile Leu Leu Ala Thr Leu Tyr Val Ala Val Thr Val Pro Tyr Ser 230 235 240 gtg tgt gtg agc aca gca cgg gag ccc agt gcc gcc cgc ggc cca ccc 886 Val Cys Val Ser Thr Ala Arg Glu Pro Ser Ala Ala Arg Gly Pro Pro 245 250 255 agc gtc tgt gac ctg gct gtg gag gtc ctc ttc atc ctt gac att gtg 934 Ser Val Cys Asp Leu Ala Val Glu Val Leu Phe Ile Leu Asp Ile Val 260 265 270 ctg aat ttc cgt acc aca ttc gtg tcc aag tcg ggc cag gtg gtg ttt 982 Leu Asn Phe Arg Thr Thr Phe Val Ser Lys Ser Gly Gln Val Val Phe 275 280 285 290 gcc cca aag tcc att tgc ctc cac tac gtc acc acc tgg ttc ctg ctg 1030 Ala Pro Lys Ser Ile Cys Leu His Tyr Val Thr Thr Trp Phe Leu Leu 295 300 305 gat gtc atc gca gcg ctg ccc ttt gac ctg ctg cat gcc ttc aag gtc 1078 Asp Val Ile Ala Ala Leu Pro Phe Asp Leu Leu His Ala Phe Lys Val 310 315 320 aac gtg tac ttc ggg gcc cac ctg ctg aag acg gtg cgc ctg ctg cgc 1126 Asn Val Tyr Phe Gly Ala His Leu Leu Lys Thr Val Arg Leu Leu Arg 325 330 335 ctg ctg cgc ctg ctt ccg cgg ctg gac cgg tac tcg cag tac agc gcc 1174 Leu Leu Arg Leu Leu Pro Arg Leu Asp Arg Tyr Ser Gln Tyr Ser Ala 340 345 350 gtg gtg ctg aca ctg ctc atg gcc gtg ttt gcc ctg ctt gcg cac tgg 1222 Val Val Leu Thr Leu Leu Met Ala Val Phe Ala Leu Leu Ala His Trp 355 360 365 370 gtt gcc tgc gtc tgg ttt tac att ggt cag cgg gag atc gag agc agc 1270 Val Ala Cys Val Trp Phe Tyr Ile Gly Gln Arg Glu Ile Glu Ser Ser 375 380 385 gaa tcc gag ctg cct gag att ggc tgg ctg cag gag ctg gcc cgc cga 1318 Glu Ser Glu Leu Pro Glu Ile Gly Trp Leu Gln Glu Leu Ala Arg Arg 390 395 400 ctg gag acc ccc tac tac ttg gtg ggc cgg aga cca gcc gga ggg aac 1366 Leu Glu Thr Pro Tyr Tyr Leu Val Gly Arg Arg Pro Ala Gly Gly Asn 405 410 415 agc tct ggc cag agt gac aac tgc agc agc agc agc gag gcc aac ggg 1414 Ser Ser Gly Gln Ser Asp Asn Cys Ser Ser Ser Ser Glu Ala Asn Gly 420 425 430 acg ggg ctg gag ctg cta ggc ggc ccg tcg ctg cgc agc gcc tac atc 1462 Thr Gly Leu Glu Leu Leu Gly Gly Pro Ser Leu Arg Ser Ala Tyr Ile 435 440 445 450 acc tcc ctc tac ttc gca ctc agc agc ctc acc agc gtg ggc ttc ggc 1510 Thr Ser Leu Tyr Phe Ala Leu Ser Ser Leu Thr Ser Val Gly Phe Gly 455 460 465 aac gtg tcc gcc aac acg gac act gag aag atc ttc tcc atc tgc acc 1558 Asn Val Ser Ala Asn Thr Asp Thr Glu Lys Ile Phe Ser Ile Cys Thr 470 475 480 atg ctc atc ggc gcc ctg atg cac gcg gtg gtg ttc ggg aac gtg acg 1606 Met Leu Ile Gly Ala Leu Met His Ala Val Val Phe Gly Asn Val Thr 485 490 495 gcc atc atc cag cgc atg tac gcc cgc cgc ttt ctg tac cac agc cgc 1654 Ala Ile Ile Gln Arg Met Tyr Ala Arg Arg Phe Leu Tyr His Ser Arg 500 505 510 acg cgc gac ctg cgc gac tac atc cgc atc cac cgt atc ccc aag ccc 1702 Thr Arg Asp Leu Arg Asp Tyr Ile Arg Ile His Arg Ile Pro Lys Pro 515 520 525 530 ctc aag cag cgc atg ctg gag tac ttc cag gcc acc tgg gcg gtg aac 1750 Leu Lys Gln Arg Met Leu Glu Tyr Phe Gln Ala Thr Trp Ala Val Asn 535 540 545 aat ggc atc gac acc acc gag ctg ctg cag agc ctc cct gac gag ctg 1798 Asn Gly Ile Asp Thr Thr Glu Leu Leu Gln Ser Leu Pro Asp Glu Leu 550 555 560 cgc gca gac atc gcc atg cac ctg cac aag gag gtc ctg cag ctg ccg 1846 Arg Ala Asp Ile Ala Met His Leu His Lys Glu Val Leu Gln Leu Pro 565 570 575 ctg ttt gag gca gcc agc cgc ggc tgc ctg cgg gca ctg tct ctg gcc 1894 Leu Phe Glu Ala Ala Ser Arg Gly Cys Leu Arg Ala Leu Ser Leu Ala 580 585 590 ctg cgg ccc gcc ttc tgc acg ccg ggc gag tac ctc atc cac caa ggc 1942 Leu Arg Pro Ala Phe Cys Thr Pro Gly Glu Tyr Leu Ile His Gln Gly 595 600 605 610 gat gcc ctg cag gcc ctc tac ttt gtc tgc tct ggc tcc atg gag gtg 1990 Asp Ala Leu Gln Ala Leu Tyr Phe Val Cys Ser Gly Ser Met Glu Val 615 620 625 ctc aag ggt ggc acc gtg ctc gcc atc cta ggg aag ggt gac ctg atc 2038 Leu Lys Gly Gly Thr Val Leu Ala Ile Leu Gly Lys Gly Asp Leu Ile 630 635 640 ggc tgt gag ctg ccc cgg agg gag cag gtg gta aag gcc aac gcc gat 2086 Gly Cys Glu Leu Pro Arg Arg Glu Gln Val Val Lys Ala Asn Ala Asp 645 650 655 gtg aag ggg ctg acg tac tgc gtc ctg cag tgt ctg cag ctg gct ggc 2134 Val Lys Gly Leu Thr Tyr Cys Val Leu Gln Cys Leu Gln Leu Ala Gly 660 665 670 ctg cac gac agc ctt gcg ctc tac ccc gag ttt gcc ccg cgc ttc agc 2182 Leu His Asp Ser Leu Ala Leu Tyr Pro Glu Phe Ala Pro Arg Phe Ser 675 680 685 690 cgt ggc ctc cga ggg gag ctc agc tac aac ctg ggt gct ggg gga ggc 2230 Arg Gly Leu Arg Gly Glu Leu Ser Tyr Asn Leu Gly Ala Gly Gly Gly 695 700 705 tct gca gag gtg gac acc agc tcc ctg agc ggc gac aat acc ctt atg 2278 Ser Ala Glu Val Asp Thr Ser Ser Leu Ser Gly Asp Asn Thr Leu Met 710 715 720 tcc acg ctg gag gag aag gag aca gat ggg gag cag ggc ccc aca gtc 2326 Ser Thr Leu Glu Glu Lys Glu Thr Asp Gly Glu Gln Gly Pro Thr Val 725 730 735 tcc cca gcc cca gct gat gag ccc tcc agc ccc cta ctg tcc cct ggt 2374 Ser Pro Ala Pro Ala Asp Glu Pro Ser Ser Pro Leu Leu Ser Pro Gly 740 745 750 tgc acc tcc tca tcc tcg gct gcc aag ctg cta tcc cca cgt cga aca 2422 Cys Thr Ser Ser Ser Ser Ala Ala Lys Leu Leu Ser Pro Arg Arg Thr 755 760 765 770 gca ccc cgg cct cgt cta ggt ggc aga ggg aga cca ggc agg gca ggg 2470 Ala Pro Arg Pro Arg Leu Gly Gly Arg Gly Arg Pro Gly Arg Ala Gly 775 780 785 gct ttg aag gct gag gct ggc ccc tct gct ccc cca cgg gcc cta gag 2518 Ala Leu Lys Ala Glu Ala Gly Pro Ser Ala Pro Pro Arg Ala Leu Glu 790 795 800 ggg cta cgg ctg ccc ccc atg cca tgg aat gtg ccc cca gat ctg agc 2566 Gly Leu Arg Leu Pro Pro Met Pro Trp Asn Val Pro Pro Asp Leu Ser 805 810 815 ccc agg gta gta gat ggc att gaa gac ggc tgt ggc tcg gac cag ccc 2614 Pro Arg Val Val Asp Gly Ile Glu Asp Gly Cys Gly Ser Asp Gln Pro 820 825 830 aag ttc tct ttc cgc atg ggc cag tct ggc ccg gaa tgt agc agc agc 2662 Lys Phe Ser Phe Arg Met Gly Gln Ser Gly Pro Glu Cys Ser Ser Ser 835 840 845 850 ccc tcc cct gga cca gag agt ggc ctg ctc act gtc ccc cat ggg ccc 2710 Pro Ser Pro Gly Pro Glu Ser Gly Leu Leu Thr Val Pro His Gly Pro 855 860 865 agc gag gca agg aac aca gac aca ctg gac aag ctt cgg cag gcg gtg 2758 Ser Glu Ala Arg Asn Thr Asp Thr Leu Asp Lys Leu Arg Gln Ala Val 870 875 880 atg gag ctg tca gaa cag gtg ctg cag atg cgg gaa gga cta cag tca 2806 Met Glu Leu Ser Glu Gln Val Leu Gln Met Arg Glu Gly Leu Gln Ser 885 890 895 ctt cgc cag gct gtg cag ctt gtc ctg gca ccc cat agg gag ggt cca 2854 Leu Arg Gln Ala Val Gln Leu Val Leu Ala Pro His Arg Glu Gly Pro 900 905 910 tgc cct cgg gcc tca gga gag ggg cca tgc cca gcc agc acc tcc ggg 2902 Cys Pro Arg Ala Ser Gly Glu Gly Pro Cys Pro Ala Ser Thr Ser Gly 915 920 925 930 ctt ctg cag cct ctg tgt gtg gac act ggg gca tcc tcc tac tgc ctg 2950 Leu Leu Gln Pro Leu Cys Val Asp Thr Gly Ala Ser Ser Tyr Cys Leu 935 940 945 cag ccc cca gct ggc tct gtc ttg agt ggg act tgg ccc cac cct cgt 2998 Gln Pro Pro Ala Gly Ser Val Leu Ser Gly Thr Trp Pro His Pro Arg 950 955 960 ccg ggg cct cct ccc ctc atg gca ccc tgg ccc tgg ggt ccc cca gca 3046 Pro Gly Pro Pro Pro Leu Met Ala Pro Trp Pro Trp Gly Pro Pro Ala 965 970 975 tct cag agc tcc ccc tgg cct cga gcc aca gct ttc tgg acc tcc acc 3094 Ser Gln Ser Ser Pro Trp Pro Arg Ala Thr Ala Phe Trp Thr Ser Thr 980 985 990 tca gac tca gag ccc cct gcc tca gga gac ctc tgc tct gag ccc agc 3142 Ser Asp Ser Glu Pro Pro Ala Ser Gly Asp Leu Cys Ser Glu Pro Ser 995 1000 1005 1010 acc cct gcc tca cct cct cct tct gag gaa ggg gct agg act ggg ccc 3190 Thr Pro Ala Ser Pro Pro Pro Ser Glu Glu Gly Ala Arg Thr Gly Pro 1015 1020 1025 cca gag cct gtg agc cag gct gag gct acc agc act gga gag ccc ccg 3238 Pro Glu Pro Val Ser Gln Ala Glu Ala Thr Ser Thr Gly Glu Pro Pro 1030 1035 1040 cca gtg tca ggg ggc ctg gcc ttg ccc tgg gac ccc cac agc ctg gag 3286 Pro Val Ser Gly Gly Leu Ala Leu Pro Trp Asp Pro His Ser Leu Glu 1045 1050 1055 atg gtg ctt att ggc tgc cac ggc tct ggc aca gtc cag tgg acc cag 3334 Met Val Leu Ile Gly Cys His Gly Ser Gly Thr Val Gln Trp Thr Gln 1060 1065 1070 gaa gaa ggc aca ggg gtc tga 3355 Glu Glu Gly Thr Gly Val 1075 1080 2 1080 PRT Monkey 2 Met Arg Gly Leu Leu Ala Pro Gln Asn Thr Phe Leu Asp Thr Ile Ala 1 5 10 15 Thr Arg Phe Asp Gly Thr His Ser Asn Phe Val Leu Gly Asn Ala Gln 20 25 30 Val Ala Gly Leu Phe Pro Val Val Tyr Cys Ser Asp Gly Phe Cys Asp 35 40 45 Leu Thr Gly Phe Ser Arg Ala Glu Val Met Gln Arg Gly Cys Ala Cys 50 55 60 Ser Phe Leu Tyr Gly Pro Asp Thr Ser Glu Leu Val Arg Gln Gln Ile 65 70 75 80 Arg Lys Ala Leu Asp Glu His Lys Glu Phe Lys Ala Glu Leu Ile Leu 85 90 95 Tyr Arg Lys Ser Gly Leu Pro Phe Trp Cys Leu Leu Asp Val Ile Pro 100 105 110 Ile Lys Asn Glu Lys Gly Glu Val Ala Leu Phe Leu Val Ser His Lys 115 120 125 Asp Ile Ser Glu Thr Lys Asn Arg Gly Gly Pro Asp Arg Trp Lys Glu 130 135 140 Thr Gly Ser Gly Arg Arg Arg Tyr Gly Arg Ala Arg Ser Lys Gly Phe 145 150 155 160 Asn Ala Asn Arg Arg Arg Ser Arg Ala Val Leu Tyr His Leu Ser Gly 165 170 175 His Leu Gln Lys Gln Pro Lys Gly Lys His Lys Leu Asn Lys Gly Val 180 185 190 Phe Gly Glu Lys Pro Asn Leu Pro Glu Tyr Lys Val Ala Ala Ile Arg 195 200 205 Lys Ser Pro Phe Ile Leu Leu His Cys Gly Ala Leu Arg Ala Thr Trp 210 215 220 Asp Gly Phe Ile Leu Leu Ala Thr Leu Tyr Val Ala Val Thr Val Pro 225 230 235 240 Tyr Ser Val Cys Val Ser Thr Ala Arg Glu Pro Ser Ala Ala Arg Gly 245 250 255 Pro Pro Ser Val Cys Asp Leu Ala Val Glu Val Leu Phe Ile Leu Asp 260 265 270 Ile Val Leu Asn Phe Arg Thr Thr Phe Val Ser Lys Ser Gly Gln Val 275 280 285 Val Phe Ala Pro Lys Ser Ile Cys Leu His Tyr Val Thr Thr Trp Phe 290 295 300 Leu Leu Asp Val Ile Ala Ala Leu Pro Phe Asp Leu Leu His Ala Phe 305 310 315 320 Lys Val Asn Val Tyr Phe Gly Ala His Leu Leu Lys Thr Val Arg Leu 325 330 335 Leu Arg Leu Leu Arg Leu Leu Pro Arg Leu Asp Arg Tyr Ser Gln Tyr 340 345 350 Ser Ala Val Val Leu Thr Leu Leu Met Ala Val Phe Ala Leu Leu Ala 355 360 365 His Trp Val Ala Cys Val Trp Phe Tyr Ile Gly Gln Arg Glu Ile Glu 370 375 380 Ser Ser Glu Ser Glu Leu Pro Glu Ile Gly Trp Leu Gln Glu Leu Ala 385 390 395 400 Arg Arg Leu Glu Thr Pro Tyr Tyr Leu Val Gly Arg Arg Pro Ala Gly 405 410 415 Gly Asn Ser Ser Gly Gln Ser Asp Asn Cys Ser Ser Ser Ser Glu Ala 420 425 430 Asn Gly Thr Gly Leu Glu Leu Leu Gly Gly Pro Ser Leu Arg Ser Ala 435 440 445 Tyr Ile Thr Ser Leu Tyr Phe Ala Leu Ser Ser Leu Thr Ser Val Gly 450 455 460 Phe Gly Asn Val Ser Ala Asn Thr Asp Thr Glu Lys Ile Phe Ser Ile 465 470 475 480 Cys Thr Met Leu Ile Gly Ala Leu Met His Ala Val Val Phe Gly Asn 485 490 495 Val Thr Ala Ile Ile Gln Arg Met Tyr Ala Arg Arg Phe Leu Tyr His 500 505 510 Ser Arg Thr Arg Asp Leu Arg Asp Tyr Ile Arg Ile His Arg Ile Pro 515 520 525 Lys Pro Leu Lys Gln Arg Met Leu Glu Tyr Phe Gln Ala Thr Trp Ala 530 535 540 Val Asn Asn Gly Ile Asp Thr Thr Glu Leu Leu Gln Ser Leu Pro Asp 545 550 555 560 Glu Leu Arg Ala Asp Ile Ala Met His Leu His Lys Glu Val Leu Gln 565 570 575 Leu Pro Leu Phe Glu Ala Ala Ser Arg Gly Cys Leu Arg Ala Leu Ser 580 585 590 Leu Ala Leu Arg Pro Ala Phe Cys Thr Pro Gly Glu Tyr Leu Ile His 595 600 605 Gln Gly Asp Ala Leu Gln Ala Leu Tyr Phe Val Cys Ser Gly Ser Met 610 615 620 Glu Val Leu Lys Gly Gly Thr Val Leu Ala Ile Leu Gly Lys Gly Asp 625 630 635 640 Leu Ile Gly Cys Glu Leu Pro Arg Arg Glu Gln Val Val Lys Ala Asn 645 650 655 Ala Asp Val Lys Gly Leu Thr Tyr Cys Val Leu Gln Cys Leu Gln Leu 660 665 670 Ala Gly Leu His Asp Ser Leu Ala Leu Tyr Pro Glu Phe Ala Pro Arg 675 680 685 Phe Ser Arg Gly Leu Arg Gly Glu Leu Ser Tyr Asn Leu Gly Ala Gly 690 695 700 Gly Gly Ser Ala Glu Val Asp Thr Ser Ser Leu Ser Gly Asp Asn Thr 705 710 715 720 Leu Met Ser Thr Leu Glu Glu Lys Glu Thr Asp Gly Glu Gln Gly Pro 725 730 735 Thr Val Ser Pro Ala Pro Ala Asp Glu Pro Ser Ser Pro Leu Leu Ser 740 745 750 Pro Gly Cys Thr Ser Ser Ser Ser Ala Ala Lys Leu Leu Ser Pro Arg 755 760 765 Arg Thr Ala Pro Arg Pro Arg Leu Gly Gly Arg Gly Arg Pro Gly Arg 770 775 780 Ala Gly Ala Leu Lys Ala Glu Ala Gly Pro Ser Ala Pro Pro Arg Ala 785 790 795 800 Leu Glu Gly Leu Arg Leu Pro Pro Met Pro Trp Asn Val Pro Pro Asp 805 810 815 Leu Ser Pro Arg Val Val Asp Gly Ile Glu Asp Gly Cys Gly Ser Asp 820 825 830 Gln Pro Lys Phe Ser Phe Arg Met Gly Gln Ser Gly Pro Glu Cys Ser 835 840 845 Ser Ser Pro Ser Pro Gly Pro Glu Ser Gly Leu Leu Thr Val Pro His 850 855 860 Gly Pro Ser Glu Ala Arg Asn Thr Asp Thr Leu Asp Lys Leu Arg Gln 865 870 875 880 Ala Val Met Glu Leu Ser Glu Gln Val Leu Gln Met Arg Glu Gly Leu 885 890 895 Gln Ser Leu Arg Gln Ala Val Gln Leu Val Leu Ala Pro His Arg Glu 900 905 910 Gly Pro Cys Pro Arg Ala Ser Gly Glu Gly Pro Cys Pro Ala Ser Thr 915 920 925 Ser Gly Leu Leu Gln Pro Leu Cys Val Asp Thr Gly Ala Ser Ser Tyr 930 935 940 Cys Leu Gln Pro Pro Ala Gly Ser Val Leu Ser Gly Thr Trp Pro His 945 950 955 960 Pro Arg Pro Gly Pro Pro Pro Leu Met Ala Pro Trp Pro Trp Gly Pro 965 970 975 Pro Ala Ser Gln Ser Ser Pro Trp Pro Arg Ala Thr Ala Phe Trp Thr 980 985 990 Ser Thr Ser Asp Ser Glu Pro Pro Ala Ser Gly Asp Leu Cys Ser Glu 995 1000 1005 Pro Ser Thr Pro Ala Ser Pro Pro Pro Ser Glu Glu Gly Ala Arg Thr 1010 1015 1020 Gly Pro Pro Glu Pro Val Ser Gln Ala Glu Ala Thr Ser Thr Gly Glu 025 1030 1035 1040 Pro Pro Pro Val Ser Gly Gly Leu Ala Leu Pro Trp Asp Pro His Ser 1045 1050 1055 Leu Glu Met Val Leu Ile Gly Cys His Gly Ser Gly Thr Val Gln Trp 1060 1065 1070 Thr Gln Glu Glu Gly Thr Gly Val 1075 1080 3 3240 DNA Monkey CDS (1)..(3240) 3 atg cgg ggc ctc ctg gcg ccg cag aac acc ttc ctg gac acc atc gct 48 Met Arg Gly Leu Leu Ala Pro Gln Asn Thr Phe Leu Asp Thr Ile Ala 1 5 10 15 acg cgc ttc gac ggc acg cac agt aac ttc gtg ctg ggc aac gcc cag 96 Thr Arg Phe Asp Gly Thr His Ser Asn Phe Val Leu Gly Asn Ala Gln 20 25 30 gtg gcg ggg ctc ttc ccc gtg gtc tac tgc tct gat ggc ttc tgt gac 144 Val Ala Gly Leu Phe Pro Val Val Tyr Cys Ser Asp Gly Phe Cys Asp 35 40 45 ctc acg ggc ttc tcc cgg gct gag gtc atg cag cgg ggc tgt gcc tgc 192 Leu Thr Gly Phe Ser Arg Ala Glu Val Met Gln Arg Gly Cys Ala Cys 50 55 60 tcc ttc ctt tat ggg cca gac acc agt gag ctc gtc cgc caa cag atc 240 Ser Phe Leu Tyr Gly Pro Asp Thr Ser Glu Leu Val Arg Gln Gln Ile 65 70 75 80 cgc aag gcc ctg gac gag cac aag gag ttc aag gct gag ctg atc ctg 288 Arg Lys Ala Leu Asp Glu His Lys Glu Phe Lys Ala Glu Leu Ile Leu 85 90 95 tac cgg aag agc ggg ctc ccg ttc tgg tgt ctc ctg gat gtg ata ccc 336 Tyr Arg Lys Ser Gly Leu Pro Phe Trp Cys Leu Leu Asp Val Ile Pro 100 105 110 ata aag aat gag aaa ggg gag gtg gct ctc ttc cta gtc tct cac aag 384 Ile Lys Asn Glu Lys Gly Glu Val Ala Leu Phe Leu Val Ser His Lys 115 120 125 gac atc agt gaa acc aag aac cga ggg ggc cct gac aga tgg aag gag 432 Asp Ile Ser Glu Thr Lys Asn Arg Gly Gly Pro Asp Arg Trp Lys Glu 130 135 140 aca ggt agt ggc cgg cgc cga tat ggc cgg gca cga tcc aaa ggc ttc 480 Thr Gly Ser Gly Arg Arg Arg Tyr Gly Arg Ala Arg Ser Lys Gly Phe 145 150 155 160 aat gcc aac cgg cgg cgg agc cgg gct gtg ctc tac cac ctg tcc ggg 528 Asn Ala Asn Arg Arg Arg Ser Arg Ala Val Leu Tyr His Leu Ser Gly 165 170 175 cac ctg cag aag cag ccc aag ggc aag cac aag ctc aat aag ggg gtg 576 His Leu Gln Lys Gln Pro Lys Gly Lys His Lys Leu Asn Lys Gly Val 180 185 190 ttt ggg gag aag cca aac ttg cct gag tac aaa gta gct gcc atc cgg 624 Phe Gly Glu Lys Pro Asn Leu Pro Glu Tyr Lys Val Ala Ala Ile Arg 195 200 205 aag tcg cct ttc atc ctg ttg cac tgt ggg gcg ctg agg gcc acc tgg 672 Lys Ser Pro Phe Ile Leu Leu His Cys Gly Ala Leu Arg Ala Thr Trp 210 215 220 gat ggc ttc atc ctg ctc gcc acg ctc tat gtg gct gtc acc gtg ccc 720 Asp Gly Phe Ile Leu Leu Ala Thr Leu Tyr Val Ala Val Thr Val Pro 225 230 235 240 tac agc gtg tgt gtg agc aca gca cgg gag ccc agt gcc gcc cgc ggc 768 Tyr Ser Val Cys Val Ser Thr Ala Arg Glu Pro Ser Ala Ala Arg Gly 245 250 255 cca ccc agc gtc tgt gac ctg gct gtg gag gtc ctc ttc atc ctt gac 816 Pro Pro Ser Val Cys Asp Leu Ala Val Glu Val Leu Phe Ile Leu Asp 260 265 270 att gtg ctg aat ttc cgt acc aca ttc gtg tcc aag tcg ggc cag gtg 864 Ile Val Leu Asn Phe Arg Thr Thr Phe Val Ser Lys Ser Gly Gln Val 275 280 285 gtg ttt gcc cca aag tcc att tgc ctc cac tac gtc acc acc tgg ttc 912 Val Phe Ala Pro Lys Ser Ile Cys Leu His Tyr Val Thr Thr Trp Phe 290 295 300 ctg ctg gat gtc atc gca gcg ctg ccc ttt gac ctg ctg cat gcc ttc 960 Leu Leu Asp Val Ile Ala Ala Leu Pro Phe Asp Leu Leu His Ala Phe 305 310 315 320 aag gtc aac gtg tac ttc ggg gcc cac ctg ctg aag acg gtg cgc ctg 1008 Lys Val Asn Val Tyr Phe Gly Ala His Leu Leu Lys Thr Val Arg Leu 325 330 335 ctg cgc ctg ctg cgc ctg ctt ccg cgg ctg gac cgg tac tcg cag tac 1056 Leu Arg Leu Leu Arg Leu Leu Pro Arg Leu Asp Arg Tyr Ser Gln Tyr 340 345 350 agc gcc gtg gtg ctg aca ctg ctc atg gcc gtg ttt gcc ctg ctt gcg 1104 Ser Ala Val Val Leu Thr Leu Leu Met Ala Val Phe Ala Leu Leu Ala 355 360 365 cac tgg gtt gcc tgc gtc tgg ttt tac att ggt cag cgg gag atc gag 1152 His Trp Val Ala Cys Val Trp Phe Tyr Ile Gly Gln Arg Glu Ile Glu 370 375 380 agc agc gaa tcc gag ctg cct gag att ggc tgg ctg cag gag ctg gcc 1200 Ser Ser Glu Ser Glu Leu Pro Glu Ile Gly Trp Leu Gln Glu Leu Ala 385 390 395 400 cgc cga ctg gag acc ccc tac tac ttg gtg ggc cgg aga cca gcc gga 1248 Arg Arg Leu Glu Thr Pro Tyr Tyr Leu Val Gly Arg Arg Pro Ala Gly 405 410 415 ggg aac agc tct ggc cag agt gac aac tgc agc agc agc agc gag gcc 1296 Gly Asn Ser Ser Gly Gln Ser Asp Asn Cys Ser Ser Ser Ser Glu Ala 420 425 430 aac ggg acg ggg ctg gag ctg cta ggc ggc ccg tcg ctg cgc agc gcc 1344 Asn Gly Thr Gly Leu Glu Leu Leu Gly Gly Pro Ser Leu Arg Ser Ala 435 440 445 tac atc acc tcc ctc tac ttc gca ctc agc agc ctc acc agc gtg ggc 1392 Tyr Ile Thr Ser Leu Tyr Phe Ala Leu Ser Ser Leu Thr Ser Val Gly 450 455 460 ttc ggc aac gtg tcc gcc aac acg gac act gag aag atc ttc tcc atc 1440 Phe Gly Asn Val Ser Ala Asn Thr Asp Thr Glu Lys Ile Phe Ser Ile 465 470 475 480 tgc acc atg ctc atc ggc gcc ctg atg cac gcg gtg gtg ttc ggg aac 1488 Cys Thr Met Leu Ile Gly Ala Leu Met His Ala Val Val Phe Gly Asn 485 490 495 gtg acg gcc atc atc cag cgc atg tac gcc cgc cgc ttt ctg tac cac 1536 Val Thr Ala Ile Ile Gln Arg Met Tyr Ala Arg Arg Phe Leu Tyr His 500 505 510 agc cgc acg cgc gac ctg cgc gac tac atc cgc atc cac cgt atc ccc 1584 Ser Arg Thr Arg Asp Leu Arg Asp Tyr Ile Arg Ile His Arg Ile Pro 515 520 525 aag ccc ctc aag cag cgc atg ctg gag tac ttc cag gcc acc tgg gcg 1632 Lys Pro Leu Lys Gln Arg Met Leu Glu Tyr Phe Gln Ala Thr Trp Ala 530 535 540 gtg aac aat ggc atc gac acc acc gag ctg ctg cag agc ctc cct gac 1680 Val Asn Asn Gly Ile Asp Thr Thr Glu Leu Leu Gln Ser Leu Pro Asp 545 550 555 560 gag ctg cgc gca gac atc gcc atg cac ctg cac aag gag gtc ctg cag 1728 Glu Leu Arg Ala Asp Ile Ala Met His Leu His Lys Glu Val Leu Gln 565 570 575 ctg ccg ctg ttt gag gca gcc agc cgc ggc tgc ctg cgg gca ctg tct 1776 Leu Pro Leu Phe Glu Ala Ala Ser Arg Gly Cys Leu Arg Ala Leu Ser 580 585 590 ctg gcc ctg cgg ccc gcc ttc tgc acg ccg ggc gag tac ctc atc cac 1824 Leu Ala Leu Arg Pro Ala Phe Cys Thr Pro Gly Glu Tyr Leu Ile His 595 600 605 caa ggc gat gcc ctg cag gcc ctc tac ttt gtc tgc tct ggc tcc atg 1872 Gln Gly Asp Ala Leu Gln Ala Leu Tyr Phe Val Cys Ser Gly Ser Met 610 615 620 gag gtg ctc aag ggt ggc acc gtg ctc gcc atc cta ggg aag ggt gac 1920 Glu Val Leu Lys Gly Gly Thr Val Leu Ala Ile Leu Gly Lys Gly Asp 625 630 635 640 ctg atc ggc tgt gag ctg ccc cgg agg gag cag gtg gta aag gcc aac 1968 Leu Ile Gly Cys Glu Leu Pro Arg Arg Glu Gln Val Val Lys Ala Asn 645 650 655 gcc gat gtg aag ggg ctg acg tac tgc gtc ctg cag tgt ctg cag ctg 2016 Ala Asp Val Lys Gly Leu Thr Tyr Cys Val Leu Gln Cys Leu Gln Leu 660 665 670 gct ggc ctg cac gac agc ctt gcg ctc tac ccc gag ttt gcc ccg cgc 2064 Ala Gly Leu His Asp Ser Leu Ala Leu Tyr Pro Glu Phe Ala Pro Arg 675 680 685 ttc agc cgt ggc ctc cga ggg gag ctc agc tac aac ctg ggt gct ggg 2112 Phe Ser Arg Gly Leu Arg Gly Glu Leu Ser Tyr Asn Leu Gly Ala Gly 690 695 700 gga ggc tct gca gag gtg gac acc agc tcc ctg agc ggc gac aat acc 2160 Gly Gly Ser Ala Glu Val Asp Thr Ser Ser Leu Ser Gly Asp Asn Thr 705 710 715 720 ctt atg tcc acg ctg gag gag aag gag aca gat ggg gag cag ggc ccc 2208 Leu Met Ser Thr Leu Glu Glu Lys Glu Thr Asp Gly Glu Gln Gly Pro 725 730 735 aca gtc tcc cca gcc cca gct gat gag ccc tcc agc ccc cta ctg tcc 2256 Thr Val Ser Pro Ala Pro Ala Asp Glu Pro Ser Ser Pro Leu Leu Ser 740 745 750 cct ggt tgc acc tcc tca tcc tcg gct gcc aag ctg cta tcc cca cgt 2304 Pro Gly Cys Thr Ser Ser Ser Ser Ala Ala Lys Leu Leu Ser Pro Arg 755 760 765 cga aca gca ccc cgg cct cgt cta ggt ggc aga ggg aga cca ggc agg 2352 Arg Thr Ala Pro Arg Pro Arg Leu Gly Gly Arg Gly Arg Pro Gly Arg 770 775 780 gca ggg gct ttg aag gct gag gct ggc ccc tct gct ccc cca cgg gcc 2400 Ala Gly Ala Leu Lys Ala Glu Ala Gly Pro Ser Ala Pro Pro Arg Ala 785 790 795 800 cta gag ggg cta cgg ctg ccc ccc atg cca tgg aat gtg ccc cca gat 2448 Leu Glu Gly Leu Arg Leu Pro Pro Met Pro Trp Asn Val Pro Pro Asp 805 810 815 ctg agc ccc agg gta gta gat ggc att gaa gac ggc tgt ggc tcg gac 2496 Leu Ser Pro Arg Val Val Asp Gly Ile Glu Asp Gly Cys Gly Ser Asp 820 825 830 cag ccc aag ttc tct ttc cgc atg ggc cag tct ggc ccg gaa tgt agc 2544 Gln Pro Lys Phe Ser Phe Arg Met Gly Gln Ser Gly Pro Glu Cys Ser 835 840 845 agc agc ccc tcc cct gga cca gag agt ggc ctg ctc act gtc ccc cat 2592 Ser Ser Pro Ser Pro Gly Pro Glu Ser Gly Leu Leu Thr Val Pro His 850 855 860 ggg ccc agc gag gca agg aac aca gac aca ctg gac aag ctt cgg cag 2640 Gly Pro Ser Glu Ala Arg Asn Thr Asp Thr Leu Asp Lys Leu Arg Gln 865 870 875 880 gcg gtg atg gag ctg tca gaa cag gtg ctg cag atg cgg gaa gga cta 2688 Ala Val Met Glu Leu Ser Glu Gln Val Leu Gln Met Arg Glu Gly Leu 885 890 895 cag tca ctt cgc cag gct gtg cag ctt gtc ctg gca ccc cat agg gag 2736 Gln Ser Leu Arg Gln Ala Val Gln Leu Val Leu Ala Pro His Arg Glu 900 905 910 ggt cca tgc cct cgg gcc tca gga gag ggg cca tgc cca gcc agc acc 2784 Gly Pro Cys Pro Arg Ala Ser Gly Glu Gly Pro Cys Pro Ala Ser Thr 915 920 925 tcc ggg ctt ctg cag cct ctg tgt gtg gac act ggg gca tcc tcc tac 2832 Ser Gly Leu Leu Gln Pro Leu Cys Val Asp Thr Gly Ala Ser Ser Tyr 930 935 940 tgc ctg cag ccc cca gct ggc tct gtc ttg agt ggg act tgg ccc cac 2880 Cys Leu Gln Pro Pro Ala Gly Ser Val Leu Ser Gly Thr Trp Pro His 945 950 955 960 cct cgt ccg ggg cct cct ccc ctc atg gca ccc tgg ccc tgg ggt ccc 2928 Pro Arg Pro Gly Pro Pro Pro Leu Met Ala Pro Trp Pro Trp Gly Pro 965 970 975 cca gca tct cag agc tcc ccc tgg cct cga gcc aca gct ttc tgg acc 2976 Pro Ala Ser Gln Ser Ser Pro Trp Pro Arg Ala Thr Ala Phe Trp Thr 980 985 990 tcc acc tca gac tca gag ccc cct gcc tca gga gac ctc tgc tct gag 3024 Ser Thr Ser Asp Ser Glu Pro Pro Ala Ser Gly Asp Leu Cys Ser Glu 995 1000 1005 ccc agc acc cct gcc tca cct cct cct tct gag gaa ggg gct agg act 3072 Pro Ser Thr Pro Ala Ser Pro Pro Pro Ser Glu Glu Gly Ala Arg Thr 1010 1015 1020 ggg ccc cca gag cct gtg agc cag gct gag gct acc agc act gga gag 3120 Gly Pro Pro Glu Pro Val Ser Gln Ala Glu Ala Thr Ser Thr Gly Glu 1025 1030 1035 1040 ccc ccg cca gtg tca ggg ggc ctg gcc ttg ccc tgg gac ccc cac agc 3168 Pro Pro Pro Val Ser Gly Gly Leu Ala Leu Pro Trp Asp Pro His Ser 1045 1050 1055 ctg gag atg gtg ctt att ggc tgc cac ggc tct ggc aca gtc cag tgg 3216 Leu Glu Met Val Leu Ile Gly Cys His Gly Ser Gly Thr Val Gln Trp 1060 1065 1070 acc cag gaa gaa ggc aca ggg gtc 3240 Thr Gln Glu Glu Gly Thr Gly Val 1075 1080 4 2694 DNA Homo sapiens CDS (215)..(1840) 4 gtcgacccac gcgtccgctc ctgccacagc cggggcggct ggaactctct ccctttctcc 60 ctccatcctt ccacttcccc tgctcggccc cgccgtcagg ccgggtcccc cttccctgcc 120 gtcatcaggt tccccttctc ccttcttggc actttccttt cgaaccatcc ttctggacaa 180 actttgatgg agaatttcac accacgctgg aaaa atg ccg gtt atg aaa gga tta 235 Met Pro Val Met Lys Gly Leu 1 5 ctg gcg ccg caa aac acc ttc ctg gac acc atc gcc acc cgt ttt gac 283 Leu Ala Pro Gln Asn Thr Phe Leu Asp Thr Ile Ala Thr Arg Phe Asp 10 15 20 gga aca cat agc aac ttc atc ctt gcc aat gcc cag gtg gct aag ggt 331 Gly Thr His Ser Asn Phe Ile Leu Ala Asn Ala Gln Val Ala Lys Gly 25 30 35 ttc ccc ata gtc tac tgt tcc gat ggc ttc tgc gag ctt gct gga ttt 379 Phe Pro Ile Val Tyr Cys Ser Asp Gly Phe Cys Glu Leu Ala Gly Phe 40 45 50 55 gcc cga act gaa gtc atg cag aag agt tgt agc tgc aag ttc tta ttt 427 Ala Arg Thr Glu Val Met Gln Lys Ser Cys Ser Cys Lys Phe Leu Phe 60 65 70 ggg gtt gaa acc aat gag caa ctg atg ctt caa ata gaa aag tca ctg 475 Gly Val Glu Thr Asn Glu Gln Leu Met Leu Gln Ile Glu Lys Ser Leu 75 80 85 gag gag aaa aca gaa ttc aaa gga gaa att atg ttc tac aag aaa aac 523 Glu Glu Lys Thr Glu Phe Lys Gly Glu Ile Met Phe Tyr Lys Lys Asn 90 95 100 ggg tct cca ttt tgg tgc cta ctg gat att gtt ccc ata aag aat gaa 571 Gly Ser Pro Phe Trp Cys Leu Leu Asp Ile Val Pro Ile Lys Asn Glu 105 110 115 aaa gga gat gta gta ctt ttt ctg gcc tcg ttc aaa gat ata aca gat 619 Lys Gly Asp Val Val Leu Phe Leu Ala Ser Phe Lys Asp Ile Thr Asp 120 125 130 135 aca aaa gtg aag att act cca gaa gat aaa aaa gaa gac aaa gtc aaa 667 Thr Lys Val Lys Ile Thr Pro Glu Asp Lys Lys Glu Asp Lys Val Lys 140 145 150 gga aga tca aga gca ggg acc cac ttt gac tca gcc cgg aga cgg agt 715 Gly Arg Ser Arg Ala Gly Thr His Phe Asp Ser Ala Arg Arg Arg Ser 155 160 165 cga gca gtc ctt tat cac atc tct ggg cac ctg caa aga aga gaa aag 763 Arg Ala Val Leu Tyr His Ile Ser Gly His Leu Gln Arg Arg Glu Lys 170 175 180 aac aaa ttg aaa ata aat aac aat gtt ttt gta gat aaa cca gca ttt 811 Asn Lys Leu Lys Ile Asn Asn Asn Val Phe Val Asp Lys Pro Ala Phe 185 190 195 ccg gag tat aaa gtt tct gat gca aaa aag tcc aaa ttc ata ctt ctg 859 Pro Glu Tyr Lys Val Ser Asp Ala Lys Lys Ser Lys Phe Ile Leu Leu 200 205 210 215 cat ttt agc act ttt aaa gct ggc tgg gac tgg ctt att ttg ttg gca 907 His Phe Ser Thr Phe Lys Ala Gly Trp Asp Trp Leu Ile Leu Leu Ala 220 225 230 acg ttt tat gtt gct gtg act gta cct tac aac gtt tgc ttt att ggc 955 Thr Phe Tyr Val Ala Val Thr Val Pro Tyr Asn Val Cys Phe Ile Gly 235 240 245 aat gac gac ctg tcc aca act cgg agc aca acc gtc agt gac att gca 1003 Asn Asp Asp Leu Ser Thr Thr Arg Ser Thr Thr Val Ser Asp Ile Ala 250 255 260 gtg gag att ctt ttt att ata gat att att tta aat ttc cga aca act 1051 Val Glu Ile Leu Phe Ile Ile Asp Ile Ile Leu Asn Phe Arg Thr Thr 265 270 275 tat gtc agc aag tct ggc caa gtt atc ttt gaa gca aga tca att tgc 1099 Tyr Val Ser Lys Ser Gly Gln Val Ile Phe Glu Ala Arg Ser Ile Cys 280 285 290 295 atc cac tat gtc aca acc tgg ttc atc att gat tta atc gct gcc ctg 1147 Ile His Tyr Val Thr Thr Trp Phe Ile Ile Asp Leu Ile Ala Ala Leu 300 305 310 cct ttt gat ctt ctg tat gct ttc aac gtc aca gtg gtg tct ctc gtg 1195 Pro Phe Asp Leu Leu Tyr Ala Phe Asn Val Thr Val Val Ser Leu Val 315 320 325 cat ctt cta aag aca gtg cgc ctc ttg cgt ctt ttg cgt ctg ctg cag 1243 His Leu Leu Lys Thr Val Arg Leu Leu Arg Leu Leu Arg Leu Leu Gln 330 335 340 aag tta gac cgc tat tcc caa cac agt act atc gtc ctg act ctg ctc 1291 Lys Leu Asp Arg Tyr Ser Gln His Ser Thr Ile Val Leu Thr Leu Leu 345 350 355 atg tcc atg ttt gca ctc ctt gca cac tgg atg gcg tgt atc tgg tac 1339 Met Ser Met Phe Ala Leu Leu Ala His Trp Met Ala Cys Ile Trp Tyr 360 365 370 375 gtc att gga aaa atg gag agg gaa gac aac agc ctt ctg aag tgg gaa 1387 Val Ile Gly Lys Met Glu Arg Glu Asp Asn Ser Leu Leu Lys Trp Glu 380 385 390 gtt ggt tgg ctt cat gag ttg gga aag aga ctg gaa tct cca tac tat 1435 Val Gly Trp Leu His Glu Leu Gly Lys Arg Leu Glu Ser Pro Tyr Tyr 395 400 405 ggc aac aat acc ttg ggg ggc ccg tcg atc cga agt gcc tat att gcc 1483 Gly Asn Asn Thr Leu Gly Gly Pro Ser Ile Arg Ser Ala Tyr Ile Ala 410 415 420 gct ctg tac ttc acg ctg agc agc ctc acc agc gtg ggt ttt ggg aac 1531 Ala Leu Tyr Phe Thr Leu Ser Ser Leu Thr Ser Val Gly Phe Gly Asn 425 430 435 gtc tct gct aat aca gat gca gaa aag atc ttc tcc atc tgc acc atg 1579 Val Ser Ala Asn Thr Asp Ala Glu Lys Ile Phe Ser Ile Cys Thr Met 440 445 450 455 ctg att ggt gcc ttg atg cac gcc ttg gtg ttt gga aac gtg aca gca 1627 Leu Ile Gly Ala Leu Met His Ala Leu Val Phe Gly Asn Val Thr Ala 460 465 470 atc ata cag agg atg tac tcc aga tgg tcc ctc tat cac act aga act 1675 Ile Ile Gln Arg Met Tyr Ser Arg Trp Ser Leu Tyr His Thr Arg Thr 475 480 485 aag gat ctg aaa gat ttc atc cgt gtc cat cac ttg ccc caa caa ctc 1723 Lys Asp Leu Lys Asp Phe Ile Arg Val His His Leu Pro Gln Gln Leu 490 495 500 aag cag agg atg ctc gaa tat ttt caa aca acc tgg tca gtc aac aat 1771 Lys Gln Arg Met Leu Glu Tyr Phe Gln Thr Thr Trp Ser Val Asn Asn 505 510 515 gga ata gat tca aat gag gta atg ttc att tct cat gtt gtt ttc agg 1819 Gly Ile Asp Ser Asn Glu Val Met Phe Ile Ser His Val Val Phe Arg 520 525 530 535 cag aaa gca cat att cta agg taaacgcaag atgttctaat gcaggtatca 1870 Gln Lys Ala His Ile Leu Arg 540 gaagtgaaaa gcataccaac ttctttattc ctttacattt ttaattattc atgaatccca 1930 atccatcttc tttcacttgc tttggcttgt gttttcacaa tgccaatttg gattgaccga 1990 agttttatat taacttgctg cttattcgat caggtggatt tattttcctt cttattgtct 2050 cttttcaaag gaatcaattc ttacgataat ttaacagtgt aatctgggat aattatatta 2110 atcaagtttc tgtttccctt aacatcaata aagttaaaaa attccatcaa aggggttatc 2170 tttatacttc cagaaacacc ccagactgcc actataaaaa cagtattata taaatcaacg 2230 aaccatttca tcaacccacc agccaaacct gtaaccaaca tttagtagtg attaattggt 2290 ttctcctctc ttcgcataat caccagtggg tccaaattcc atatcttctg tcctgactag 2350 gactctctgt gagaaggaag tcacaatgag ttatatgttt tcctgctaga ggctttttta 2410 atttgttctg tttctccaga cttcttatca gctgattatt cagtagcaca taattcacag 2470 tcactgaaaa atctctccag gattatacat acttagattt cctcttctgt atgctggatg 2530 gccaaacagc aggagacagt aggaagagca tccctgctgt cttgcaaagt aaatcagtta 2590 gactacactt accccaattt gatttcctcc ttcatcttct ctgacagctt ttgaaagact 2650 ttccagatga acctgcgttc tgacatcact atgcacttga acaa 2694 5 542 PRT Homo sapiens 5 Met Pro Val Met Lys Gly Leu Leu Ala Pro Gln Asn Thr Phe Leu Asp 1 5 10 15 Thr Ile Ala Thr Arg Phe Asp Gly Thr His Ser Asn Phe Ile Leu Ala 20 25 30 Asn Ala Gln Val Ala Lys Gly Phe Pro Ile Val Tyr Cys Ser Asp Gly 35 40 45 Phe Cys Glu Leu Ala Gly Phe Ala Arg Thr Glu Val Met Gln Lys Ser 50 55 60 Cys Ser Cys Lys Phe Leu Phe Gly Val Glu Thr Asn Glu Gln Leu Met 65 70 75 80 Leu Gln Ile Glu Lys Ser Leu Glu Glu Lys Thr Glu Phe Lys Gly Glu 85 90 95 Ile Met Phe Tyr Lys Lys Asn Gly Ser Pro Phe Trp Cys Leu Leu Asp 100 105 110 Ile Val Pro Ile Lys Asn Glu Lys Gly Asp Val Val Leu Phe Leu Ala 115 120 125 Ser Phe Lys Asp Ile Thr Asp Thr Lys Val Lys Ile Thr Pro Glu Asp 130 135 140 Lys Lys Glu Asp Lys Val Lys Gly Arg Ser Arg Ala Gly Thr His Phe 145 150 155 160 Asp Ser Ala Arg Arg Arg Ser Arg Ala Val Leu Tyr His Ile Ser Gly 165 170 175 His Leu Gln Arg Arg Glu Lys Asn Lys Leu Lys Ile Asn Asn Asn Val 180 185 190 Phe Val Asp Lys Pro Ala Phe Pro Glu Tyr Lys Val Ser Asp Ala Lys 195 200 205 Lys Ser Lys Phe Ile Leu Leu His Phe Ser Thr Phe Lys Ala Gly Trp 210 215 220 Asp Trp Leu Ile Leu Leu Ala Thr Phe Tyr Val Ala Val Thr Val Pro 225 230 235 240 Tyr Asn Val Cys Phe Ile Gly Asn Asp Asp Leu Ser Thr Thr Arg Ser 245 250 255 Thr Thr Val Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Ile Leu Phe Ile Ile Asp Ile 260 265 270 Ile Leu Asn Phe Arg Thr Thr Tyr Val Ser Lys Ser Gly Gln Val Ile 275 280 285 Phe Glu Ala Arg Ser Ile Cys Ile His Tyr Val Thr Thr Trp Phe Ile 290 295 300 Ile Asp Leu Ile Ala Ala Leu Pro Phe Asp Leu Leu Tyr Ala Phe Asn 305 310 315 320 Val Thr Val Val Ser Leu Val His Leu Leu Lys Thr Val Arg Leu Leu 325 330 335 Arg Leu Leu Arg Leu Leu Gln Lys Leu Asp Arg Tyr Ser Gln His Ser 340 345 350 Thr Ile Val Leu Thr Leu Leu Met Ser Met Phe Ala Leu Leu Ala His 355 360 365 Trp Met Ala Cys Ile Trp Tyr Val Ile Gly Lys Met Glu Arg Glu Asp 370 375 380 Asn Ser Leu Leu Lys Trp Glu Val Gly Trp Leu His Glu Leu Gly Lys 385 390 395 400 Arg Leu Glu Ser Pro Tyr Tyr Gly Asn Asn Thr Leu Gly Gly Pro Ser 405 410 415 Ile Arg Ser Ala Tyr Ile Ala Ala Leu Tyr Phe Thr Leu Ser Ser Leu 420 425 430 Thr Ser Val Gly Phe Gly Asn Val Ser Ala Asn Thr Asp Ala Glu Lys 435 440 445 Ile Phe Ser Ile Cys Thr Met Leu Ile Gly Ala Leu Met His Ala Leu 450 455 460 Val Phe Gly Asn Val Thr Ala Ile Ile Gln Arg Met Tyr Ser Arg Trp 465 470 475 480 Ser Leu Tyr His Thr Arg Thr Lys Asp Leu Lys Asp Phe Ile Arg Val 485 490 495 His His Leu Pro Gln Gln Leu Lys Gln Arg Met Leu Glu Tyr Phe Gln 500 505 510 Thr Thr Trp Ser Val Asn Asn Gly Ile Asp Ser Asn Glu Val Met Phe 515 520 525 Ile Ser His Val Val Phe Arg Gln Lys Ala His Ile Leu Arg 530 535 540 6 1626 DNA Homo sapiens CDS (1)..(1626) 6 atg ccg gtt atg aaa gga tta ctg gcg ccg caa aac acc ttc ctg gac 48 Met Pro Val Met Lys Gly Leu Leu Ala Pro Gln Asn Thr Phe Leu Asp 1 5 10 15 acc atc gcc acc cgt ttt gac gga aca cat agc aac ttc atc ctt gcc 96 Thr Ile Ala Thr Arg Phe Asp Gly Thr His Ser Asn Phe Ile Leu Ala 20 25 30 aat gcc cag gtg gct aag ggt ttc ccc ata gtc tac tgt tcc gat ggc 144 Asn Ala Gln Val Ala Lys Gly Phe Pro Ile Val Tyr Cys Ser Asp Gly 35 40 45 ttc tgc gag ctt gct gga ttt gcc cga act gaa gtc atg cag aag agt 192 Phe Cys Glu Leu Ala Gly Phe Ala Arg Thr Glu Val Met Gln Lys Ser 50 55 60 tgt agc tgc aag ttc tta ttt ggg gtt gaa acc aat gag caa ctg atg 240 Cys Ser Cys Lys Phe Leu Phe Gly Val Glu Thr Asn Glu Gln Leu Met 65 70 75 80 ctt caa ata gaa aag tca ctg gag gag aaa aca gaa ttc aaa gga gaa 288 Leu Gln Ile Glu Lys Ser Leu Glu Glu Lys Thr Glu Phe Lys Gly Glu 85 90 95 att atg ttc tac aag aaa aac ggg tct cca ttt tgg tgc cta ctg gat 336 Ile Met Phe Tyr Lys Lys Asn Gly Ser Pro Phe Trp Cys Leu Leu Asp 100 105 110 att gtt ccc ata aag aat gaa aaa gga gat gta gta ctt ttt ctg gcc 384 Ile Val Pro Ile Lys Asn Glu Lys Gly Asp Val Val Leu Phe Leu Ala 115 120 125 tcg ttc aaa gat ata aca gat aca aaa gtg aag att act cca gaa gat 432 Ser Phe Lys Asp Ile Thr Asp Thr Lys Val Lys Ile Thr Pro Glu Asp 130 135 140 aaa aaa gaa gac aaa gtc aaa gga aga tca aga gca ggg acc cac ttt 480 Lys Lys Glu Asp Lys Val Lys Gly Arg Ser Arg Ala Gly Thr His Phe 145 150 155 160 gac tca gcc cgg aga cgg agt cga gca gtc ctt tat cac atc tct ggg 528 Asp Ser Ala Arg Arg Arg Ser Arg Ala Val Leu Tyr His Ile Ser Gly 165 170 175 cac ctg caa aga aga gaa aag aac aaa ttg aaa ata aat aac aat gtt 576 His Leu Gln Arg Arg Glu Lys Asn Lys Leu Lys Ile Asn Asn Asn Val 180 185 190 ttt gta gat aaa cca gca ttt ccg gag tat aaa gtt tct gat gca aaa 624 Phe Val Asp Lys Pro Ala Phe Pro Glu Tyr Lys Val Ser Asp Ala Lys 195 200 205 aag tcc aaa ttc ata ctt ctg cat ttt agc act ttt aaa gct ggc tgg 672 Lys Ser Lys Phe Ile Leu Leu His Phe Ser Thr Phe Lys Ala Gly Trp 210 215 220 gac tgg ctt att ttg ttg gca acg ttt tat gtt gct gtg act gta cct 720 Asp Trp Leu Ile Leu Leu Ala Thr Phe Tyr Val Ala Val Thr Val Pro 225 230 235 240 tac aac gtt tgc ttt att ggc aat gac gac ctg tcc aca act cgg agc 768 Tyr Asn Val Cys Phe Ile Gly Asn Asp Asp Leu Ser Thr Thr Arg Ser 245 250 255 aca acc gtc agt gac att gca gtg gag att ctt ttt att ata gat att 816 Thr Thr Val Ser Asp Ile Ala Val Glu Ile Leu Phe Ile Ile Asp Ile 260 265 270 att tta aat ttc cga aca act tat gtc agc aag tct ggc caa gtt atc 864 Ile Leu Asn Phe Arg Thr Thr Tyr Val Ser Lys Ser Gly Gln Val Ile 275 280 285 ttt gaa gca aga tca att tgc atc cac tat gtc aca acc tgg ttc atc 912 Phe Glu Ala Arg Ser Ile Cys Ile His Tyr Val Thr Thr Trp Phe Ile 290 295 300 att gat tta atc gct gcc ctg cct ttt gat ctt ctg tat gct ttc aac 960 Ile Asp Leu Ile Ala Ala Leu Pro Phe Asp Leu Leu Tyr Ala Phe Asn 305 310 315 320 gtc aca gtg gtg tct ctc gtg cat ctt cta aag aca gtg cgc ctc ttg 1008 Val Thr Val Val Ser Leu Val His Leu Leu Lys Thr Val Arg Leu Leu 325 330 335 cgt ctt ttg cgt ctg ctg cag aag tta gac cgc tat tcc caa cac agt 1056 Arg Leu Leu Arg Leu Leu Gln Lys Leu Asp Arg Tyr Ser Gln His Ser 340 345 350 act atc gtc ctg act ctg ctc atg tcc atg ttt gca ctc ctt gca cac 1104 Thr Ile Val Leu Thr Leu Leu Met Ser Met Phe Ala Leu Leu Ala His 355 360 365 tgg atg gcg tgt atc tgg tac gtc att gga aaa atg gag agg gaa gac 1152 Trp Met Ala Cys Ile Trp Tyr Val Ile Gly Lys Met Glu Arg Glu Asp 370 375 380 aac agc ctt ctg aag tgg gaa gtt ggt tgg ctt cat gag ttg gga aag 1200 Asn Ser Leu Leu Lys Trp Glu Val Gly Trp Leu His Glu Leu Gly Lys 385 390 395 400 aga ctg gaa tct cca tac tat ggc aac aat acc ttg ggg ggc ccg tcg 1248 Arg Leu Glu Ser Pro Tyr Tyr Gly Asn Asn Thr Leu Gly Gly Pro Ser 405 410 415 atc cga agt gcc tat att gcc gct ctg tac ttc acg ctg agc agc ctc 1296 Ile Arg Ser Ala Tyr Ile Ala Ala Leu Tyr Phe Thr Leu Ser Ser Leu 420 425 430 acc agc gtg ggt ttt ggg aac gtc tct gct aat aca gat gca gaa aag 1344 Thr Ser Val Gly Phe Gly Asn Val Ser Ala Asn Thr Asp Ala Glu Lys 435 440 445 atc ttc tcc atc tgc acc atg ctg att ggt gcc ttg atg cac gcc ttg 1392 Ile Phe Ser Ile Cys Thr Met Leu Ile Gly Ala Leu Met His Ala Leu 450 455 460 gtg ttt gga aac gtg aca gca atc ata cag agg atg tac tcc aga tgg 1440 Val Phe Gly Asn Val Thr Ala Ile Ile Gln Arg Met Tyr Ser Arg Trp 465 470 475 480 tcc ctc tat cac act aga act aag gat ctg aaa gat ttc atc cgt gtc 1488 Ser Leu Tyr His Thr Arg Thr Lys Asp Leu Lys Asp Phe Ile Arg Val 485 490 495 cat cac ttg ccc caa caa ctc aag cag agg atg ctc gaa tat ttt caa 1536 His His Leu Pro Gln Gln Leu Lys Gln Arg Met Leu Glu Tyr Phe Gln 500 505 510 aca acc tgg tca gtc aac aat gga ata gat tca aat gag gta atg ttc 1584 Thr Thr Trp Ser Val Asn Asn Gly Ile Asp Ser Asn Glu Val Met Phe 515 520 525 att tct cat gtt gtt ttc agg cag aaa gca cat att cta agg 1626 Ile Ser His Val Val Phe Arg Gln Lys Ala His Ile Leu Arg 530 535 540 7 1132 DNA Homo sapiens CDS (263)..(1132) 7 gcggccgcgg ggcctggagc ccgggatttg tgggcggcga gggcgcgagg ggccgcgcgc 60 catgctccgg gccccgacgg cgcggacgcc ccctcgcgcg ccagcgtccg gcgcgacccc 120 ggatcccggt ctgcgcattg ccccccgacg gctgcgctag ggagcgcggg gcccggcggg 180 gggcggccga gctgggcgcc ctcccccggc gcggagtccc cgcaccccgg agggatgggg 240 cgggcagccg cgggcgccta ag atg ccg gcc atg cgg ggc ctc ctg gcg ccg 292 Met Pro Ala Met Arg Gly Leu Leu Ala Pro 1 5 10 cag aac acc ttc ctg gac acc atc gct acg cgc ttc gac ggc acg cac 340 Gln Asn Thr Phe Leu Asp Thr Ile Ala Thr Arg Phe Asp Gly Thr His 15 20 25 agt aac ttc gtg ctg ggc aac gcc cag gtg gcg ggg ctc ttc ccc gtg 388 Ser Asn Phe Val Leu Gly Asn Ala Gln Val Ala Gly Leu Phe Pro Val 30 35 40 gtc tac tgc tct gat ggc ttc tgt gac ctc acg ggc ttc tcc cgg gct 436 Val Tyr Cys Ser Asp Gly Phe Cys Asp Leu Thr Gly Phe Ser Arg Ala 45 50 55 gag gtc atg cag cgg ggc tgt gcc tgc tcc ttc ctt tat ggg cca gac 484 Glu Val Met Gln Arg Gly Cys Ala Cys Ser Phe Leu Tyr Gly Pro Asp 60 65 70 acc agt gag ctc gtc cgc caa cag atc cgc aag gcc ctg gac gag cac 532 Thr Ser Glu Leu Val Arg Gln Gln Ile Arg Lys Ala Leu Asp Glu His 75 80 85 90 aag gag ttc aag gct gag ctg atc ctg tac cgg aag agc ggg ctc ccg 580 Lys Glu Phe Lys Ala Glu Leu Ile Leu Tyr Arg Lys Ser Gly Leu Pro 95 100 105 ttc tgg tgt ctc ctg gat gtg ata ccc ata aag aat gag aaa ggg gag 628 Phe Trp Cys Leu Leu Asp Val Ile Pro Ile Lys Asn Glu Lys Gly Glu 110 115 120 gtg gct ctc ttc cta gtc tct cac aag gac atc agc gaa acc aag aac 676 Val Ala Leu Phe Leu Val Ser His Lys Asp Ile Ser Glu Thr Lys Asn 125 130 135 cga ggg ggc ccc gac aga tgg aag gag aca ggt ggt ggc cgg cgc cga 724 Arg Gly Gly Pro Asp Arg Trp Lys Glu Thr Gly Gly Gly Arg Arg Arg 140 145 150 tat ggc cgg gca cga tcc aaa ggc ttc aat gcc aac cgg cgg cgg agc 772 Tyr Gly Arg Ala Arg Ser Lys Gly Phe Asn Ala Asn Arg Arg Arg Ser 155 160 165 170 cgg gcc gtg ctc tac cac ctg tcc ggg cac ctg cag aag cag ccc aag 820 Arg Ala Val Leu Tyr His Leu Ser Gly His Leu Gln Lys Gln Pro Lys 175 180 185 ggc aag cac aag ctc aat aag ggg gtg ttt ggg gag aaa cca aac ttg 868 Gly Lys His Lys Leu Asn Lys Gly Val Phe Gly Glu Lys Pro Asn Leu 190 195 200 cct gag tac aaa gta gcc gcc atc cgg aag tcg ccc ttc atc ctg ttg 916 Pro Glu Tyr Lys Val Ala Ala Ile Arg Lys Ser Pro Phe Ile Leu Leu 205 210 215 cac tgt ggg gca ctg aga gcc acc tgg gat ggc ttc atc ctg ctc gcc 964 His Cys Gly Ala Leu Arg Ala Thr Trp Asp Gly Phe Ile Leu Leu Ala 220 225 230 aca ctc tat gtg gct gtc act gtg ccc tac agc gtg tgt gtg agc aca 1012 Thr Leu Tyr Val Ala Val Thr Val Pro Tyr Ser Val Cys Val Ser Thr 235 240 245 250 gca cgg gag ccc agt gcc gcc cgc ggc ccg ccc agc gtc tgt gac ctg 1060 Ala Arg Glu Pro Ser Ala Ala Arg Gly Pro Pro Ser Val Cys Asp Leu 255 260 265 gcc gtg gag gtc ctc ttc atc ctt gac att gtg ctg aat ttc cgt acc 1108 Ala Val Glu Val Leu Phe Ile Leu Asp Ile Val Leu Asn Phe Arg Thr 270 275 280 ctc gtg cca cct cgt gcc aag ctt 1132 Leu Val Pro Pro Arg Ala Lys Leu 285 290 8 290 PRT Homo sapiens 8 Met Pro Ala Met Arg Gly Leu Leu Ala Pro Gln Asn Thr Phe Leu Asp 1 5 10 15 Thr Ile Ala Thr Arg Phe Asp Gly Thr His Ser Asn Phe Val Leu Gly 20 25 30 Asn Ala Gln Val Ala Gly Leu Phe Pro Val Val Tyr Cys Ser Asp Gly 35 40 45 Phe Cys Asp Leu Thr Gly Phe Ser Arg Ala Glu Val Met Gln Arg Gly 50 55 60 Cys Ala Cys Ser Phe Leu Tyr Gly Pro Asp Thr Ser Glu Leu Val Arg 65 70 75 80 Gln Gln Ile Arg Lys Ala Leu Asp Glu His Lys Glu Phe Lys Ala Glu 85 90 95 Leu Ile Leu Tyr Arg Lys Ser Gly Leu Pro Phe Trp Cys Leu Leu Asp 100 105 110 Val Ile Pro Ile Lys Asn Glu Lys Gly Glu Val Ala Leu Phe Leu Val 115 120 125 Ser His Lys Asp Ile Ser Glu Thr Lys Asn Arg Gly Gly Pro Asp Arg 130 135 140 Trp Lys Glu Thr Gly Gly Gly Arg Arg Arg Tyr Gly Arg Ala Arg Ser 145 150 155 160 Lys Gly Phe Asn Ala Asn Arg Arg Arg Ser Arg Ala Val Leu Tyr His 165 170 175 Leu Ser Gly His Leu Gln Lys Gln Pro Lys Gly Lys His Lys Leu Asn 180 185 190 Lys Gly Val Phe Gly Glu Lys Pro Asn Leu Pro Glu Tyr Lys Val Ala 195 200 205 Ala Ile Arg Lys Ser Pro Phe Ile Leu Leu His Cys Gly Ala Leu Arg 210 215 220 Ala Thr Trp Asp Gly Phe Ile Leu Leu Ala Thr Leu Tyr Val Ala Val 225 230 235 240 Thr Val Pro Tyr Ser Val Cys Val Ser Thr Ala Arg Glu Pro Ser Ala 245 250 255 Ala Arg Gly Pro Pro Ser Val Cys Asp Leu Ala Val Glu Val Leu Phe 260 265 270 Ile Leu Asp Ile Val Leu Asn Phe Arg Thr Leu Val Pro Pro Arg Ala 275 280 285 Lys Leu 290 9 870 DNA Homo sapiens CDS (1)..(870) 9 atg ccg gcc atg cgg ggc ctc ctg gcg ccg cag aac acc ttc ctg gac 48 Met Pro Ala Met Arg Gly Leu Leu Ala Pro Gln Asn Thr Phe Leu Asp 1 5 10 15 acc atc gct acg cgc ttc gac ggc acg cac agt aac ttc gtg ctg ggc 96 Thr Ile Ala Thr Arg Phe Asp Gly Thr His Ser Asn Phe Val Leu Gly 20 25 30 aac gcc cag gtg gcg ggg ctc ttc ccc gtg gtc tac tgc tct gat ggc 144 Asn Ala Gln Val Ala Gly Leu Phe Pro Val Val Tyr Cys Ser Asp Gly 35 40 45 ttc tgt gac ctc acg ggc ttc tcc cgg gct gag gtc atg cag cgg ggc 192 Phe Cys Asp Leu Thr Gly Phe Ser Arg Ala Glu Val Met Gln Arg Gly 50 55 60 tgt gcc tgc tcc ttc ctt tat ggg cca gac acc agt gag ctc gtc cgc 240 Cys Ala Cys Ser Phe Leu Tyr Gly Pro Asp Thr Ser Glu Leu Val Arg 65 70 75 80 caa cag atc cgc aag gcc ctg gac gag cac aag gag ttc aag gct gag 288 Gln Gln Ile Arg Lys Ala Leu Asp Glu His Lys Glu Phe Lys Ala Glu 85 90 95 ctg atc ctg tac cgg aag agc ggg ctc ccg ttc tgg tgt ctc ctg gat 336 Leu Ile Leu Tyr Arg Lys Ser Gly Leu Pro Phe Trp Cys Leu Leu Asp 100 105 110 gtg ata ccc ata aag aat gag aaa ggg gag gtg gct ctc ttc cta gtc 384 Val Ile Pro Ile Lys Asn Glu Lys Gly Glu Val Ala Leu Phe Leu Val 115 120 125 tct cac aag gac atc agc gaa acc aag aac cga ggg ggc ccc gac aga 432 Ser His Lys Asp Ile Ser Glu Thr Lys Asn Arg Gly Gly Pro Asp Arg 130 135 140 tgg aag gag aca ggt ggt ggc cgg cgc cga tat ggc cgg gca cga tcc 480 Trp Lys Glu Thr Gly Gly Gly Arg Arg Arg Tyr Gly Arg Ala Arg Ser 145 150 155 160 aaa ggc ttc aat gcc aac cgg cgg cgg agc cgg gcc gtg ctc tac cac 528 Lys Gly Phe Asn Ala Asn Arg Arg Arg Ser Arg Ala Val Leu Tyr His 165 170 175 ctg tcc ggg cac ctg cag aag cag ccc aag ggc aag cac aag ctc aat 576 Leu Ser Gly His Leu Gln Lys Gln Pro Lys Gly Lys His Lys Leu Asn 180 185 190 aag ggg gtg ttt ggg gag aaa cca aac ttg cct gag tac aaa gta gcc 624 Lys Gly Val Phe Gly Glu Lys Pro Asn Leu Pro Glu Tyr Lys Val Ala 195 200 205 gcc atc cgg aag tcg ccc ttc atc ctg ttg cac tgt ggg gca ctg aga 672 Ala Ile Arg Lys Ser Pro Phe Ile Leu Leu His Cys Gly Ala Leu Arg 210 215 220 gcc acc tgg gat ggc ttc atc ctg ctc gcc aca ctc tat gtg gct gtc 720 Ala Thr Trp Asp Gly Phe Ile Leu Leu Ala Thr Leu Tyr Val Ala Val 225 230 235 240 act gtg ccc tac agc gtg tgt gtg agc aca gca cgg gag ccc agt gcc 768 Thr Val Pro Tyr Ser Val Cys Val Ser Thr Ala Arg Glu Pro Ser Ala 245 250 255 gcc cgc ggc ccg ccc agc gtc tgt gac ctg gcc gtg gag gtc ctc ttc 816 Ala Arg Gly Pro Pro Ser Val Cys Asp Leu Ala Val Glu Val Leu Phe 260 265 270 atc ctt gac att gtg ctg aat ttc cgt acc ctc gtg cca cct cgt gcc 864 Ile Leu Asp Ile Val Leu Asn Phe Arg Thr Leu Val Pro Pro Arg Ala 275 280 285 aag ctt 870 Lys Leu 290 10 1159 PRT Homo sapiens 10 Met Pro Val Arg Arg Gly His Val Ala Pro Gln Asn Thr Phe Leu Asp 1 5 10 15 Thr Ile Ile Arg Lys Phe Glu Gly Gln Ser Arg Lys Phe Ile Ile Ala 20 25 30 Asn Ala Arg Val Glu Asn Cys Ala Val Ile Tyr Cys Asn Asp Gly Phe 35 40 45 Cys Glu Leu Cys Gly Tyr Ser Arg Ala Glu Val Met Gln Arg Pro Cys 50 55 60 Thr Cys Asp Phe Leu His Gly Pro Arg Thr Gln Arg Arg Ala Ala Ala 65 70 75 80 Gln Ile Ala Gln Ala Leu Leu Gly Ala Glu Glu Arg Lys Val Glu Ile 85 90 95 Ala Phe Tyr Arg Lys Asp Gly Ser Cys Phe Leu Cys Leu Val Asp Val 100 105 110 Val Pro Val Lys Asn Glu Asp Gly Ala Val Ile Met Phe Ile Leu Asn 115 120 125 Phe Glu Val Val Met Glu Lys Asp Met Val Gly Ser Pro Ala His Asp 130 135 140 Thr Asn His Arg Gly Pro Pro Thr Ser Trp Leu Ala Pro Gly Arg Ala 145 150 155 160 Lys Thr Phe Arg Leu Lys Leu Pro Ala Leu Leu Ala Leu Thr Ala Arg 165 170 175 Glu Ser Ser Val Arg Ser Gly Gly Ala Gly Gly Ala Gly Ala Pro Gly 180 185 190 Ala Val Val Val Asp Val Asp Leu Thr Pro Ala Ala Pro Ser Ser Glu 195 200 205 Ser Leu Ala Leu Asp Glu Val Thr Ala Met Asp Asn His Val Ala Gly 210 215 220 Leu Gly Pro Ala Glu Glu Arg Arg Ala Leu Val Gly Pro Gly Ser Pro 225 230 235 240 Pro Arg Ser Ala Pro Gly Gln Leu Pro Ser Pro Arg Ala His Ser Leu 245 250 255 Asn Pro Asp Ala Ser Gly Ser Ser Cys Ser Leu Ala Arg Thr Arg Ser 260 265 270 Arg Glu Ser Cys Ala Ser Val Arg Arg Ala Ser Ser Ala Asp Asp Ile 275 280 285 Glu Ala Met Arg Ala Gly Val Leu Pro Pro Pro Pro Arg His Ala Ser 290 295 300 Thr Gly Ala Met His Pro Leu Arg Ser Gly Leu Leu Asn Ser Thr Ser 305 310 315 320 Asp Ser Asp Leu Val Arg Tyr Arg Thr Ile Ser Lys Ile Pro Gln Ile 325 330 335 Thr Leu Asn Phe Val Asp Leu Lys Gly Asp Pro Phe Leu Ala Ser Pro 340 345 350 Thr Ser Asp Arg Glu Ile Ile Ala Pro Lys Ile Lys Glu Arg Thr His 355 360 365 Asn Val Thr Glu Lys Val Thr Gln Val Leu Ser Leu Gly Ala Asp Val 370 375 380 Leu Pro Glu Tyr Lys Leu Gln Ala Pro Arg Ile His Arg Trp Thr Ile 385 390 395 400 Leu His Tyr Ser Pro Phe Lys Ala Val Trp Asp Trp Leu Ile Leu Leu 405 410 415 Leu Val Ile Tyr Thr Ala Val Phe Thr Pro Tyr Ser Ala Ala Phe Leu 420 425 430 Leu Lys Glu Thr Glu Glu Gly Pro Pro Ala Thr Glu Cys Gly Tyr Ala 435 440 445 Cys Gln Pro Leu Ala Val Val Asp Leu Ile Val Asp Ile Met Phe Ile 450 455 460 Val Asp Ile Leu Ile Asn Phe Arg Thr Thr Tyr Val Asn Ala Asn Glu 465 470 475 480 Glu Val Val Ser His Pro Gly Arg Ile Ala Val His Tyr Phe Lys Gly 485 490 495 Trp Phe Leu Ile Asp Met Val Ala Ala Ile Pro Phe Asp Leu Leu Ile 500 505 510 Phe Gly Ser Gly Ser Glu Glu Leu Ile Gly Leu Leu Lys Thr Ala Arg 515 520 525 Leu Leu Arg Leu Val Arg Val Ala Arg Lys Leu Asp Arg Tyr Ser Glu 530 535 540 Tyr Gly Ala Ala Val Leu Phe Leu Leu Met Cys Thr Phe Ala Leu Ile 545 550 555 560 Ala His Trp Leu Ala Cys Ile Trp Tyr Ala Ile Gly Asn Met Glu Gln 565 570 575 Pro His Met Asp Ser Arg Ile Gly Trp Leu His Asn Leu Gly Asp Gln 580 585 590 Ile Gly Lys Pro Tyr Asn Ser Ser Gly Leu Gly Gly Pro Ser Ile Lys 595 600 605 Asp Lys Tyr Val Thr Ala Leu Tyr Phe Thr Phe Ser Ser Leu Thr Ser 610 615 620 Val Gly Phe Gly Asn Val Ser Pro Asn Thr Asn Ser Glu Lys Ile Phe 625 630 635 640 Ser Ile Cys Val Met Leu Ile Gly Ser Leu Met Tyr Ala Ser Ile Phe 645 650 655 Gly Asn Val Ser Ala Ile Ile Gln Arg Leu Tyr Ser Gly Thr Ala Arg 660 665 670 Tyr His Thr Gln Met Leu Arg Val Arg Glu Phe Ile Arg Phe His Gln 675 680 685 Ile Pro Asn Pro Leu Arg Gln Arg Leu Glu Glu Tyr Phe Gln His Ala 690 695 700 Trp Ser Tyr Thr Asn Gly Ile Asp Met Asn Ala Val Leu Lys Gly Phe 705 710 715 720 Pro Glu Cys Leu Gln Ala Asp Ile Cys Leu His Leu Asn Arg Ser Leu 725 730 735 Leu Gln His Cys Lys Pro Phe Arg Gly Ala Thr Lys Gly Cys Leu Arg 740 745 750 Ala Leu Ala Met Lys Phe Lys Thr Thr His Ala Pro Pro Gly Asp Thr 755 760 765 Leu Val His Ala Gly Asp Leu Leu Thr Ala Leu Tyr Phe Ile Ser Arg 770 775 780 Gly Ser Ile Glu Ile Leu Arg Gly Asp Val Val Val Ala Ile Leu Gly 785 790 795 800 Lys Asn Asp Ile Phe Gly Glu Pro Leu Asn Leu Tyr Ala Arg Pro Gly 805 810 815 Lys Ser Asn Gly Asp Val Arg Ala Leu Thr Tyr Cys Asp Leu His Lys 820 825 830 Ile His Arg Asp Asp Leu Leu Glu Val Leu Asp Met Tyr Pro Glu Phe 835 840 845 Ser Asp His Phe Trp Ser Ser Leu Glu Ile Thr Phe Asn Leu Arg Asp 850 855 860 Thr Asn Met Ile Pro Gly Ser Pro Gly Ser Thr Glu Leu Glu Gly Gly 865 870 875 880 Phe Ser Arg Gln Arg Lys Arg Lys Leu Ser Phe Arg Arg Arg Thr Asp 885 890 895 Lys Asp Thr Glu Gln Pro Gly Glu Val Ser Ala Leu Gly Pro Gly Arg 900 905 910 Ala Gly Ala Gly Pro Ser Ser Arg Gly Arg Pro Gly Gly Pro Trp Gly 915 920 925 Glu Ser Pro Ser Ser Gly Pro Ser Ser Pro Glu Ser Ser Glu Asp Glu 930 935 940 Gly Pro Gly Arg Ser Ser Ser Pro Leu Arg Leu Val Pro Phe Ser Ser 945 950 955 960 Pro Arg Pro Pro Gly Glu Pro Pro Gly Gly Glu Pro Leu Met Glu Asp 965 970 975 Cys Glu Lys Ser Ser Asp Thr Cys Asn Pro Leu Ser Gly Ala Phe Ser 980 985 990 Gly Val Ser Asn Ile Phe Ser Phe Trp Gly Asp Ser Arg Gly Arg Gln 995 1000 1005 Tyr Gln Glu Leu Pro Arg Cys Pro Ala Pro Thr Pro Ser Leu Leu Asn 1010 1015 1020 Ile Pro Leu Ser Ser Pro Gly Arg Arg Pro Arg Gly Asp Val Glu Ser 1025 1030 1035 1040 Arg Leu Asp Ala Leu Gln Arg Gln Leu Asn Arg Leu Glu Thr Arg Leu 1045 1050 1055 Ser Ala Asp Met Ala Thr Val Leu Gln Leu Leu Gln Arg Gln Met Thr 1060 1065 1070 Leu Val Pro Pro Ala Tyr Ser Ala Val Thr Thr Pro Gly Pro Gly Pro 1075 1080 1085 Thr Ser Thr Ser Pro Leu Leu Pro Val Ser Pro Leu Pro Thr Leu Thr 1090 1095 1100 Leu Asp Ser Leu Ser Gln Val Ser Gln Phe Met Ala Cys Glu Glu Leu 1105 1110 1115 1120 Pro Pro Gly Ala Pro Glu Leu Pro Gln Glu Gly Pro Thr Arg Arg Leu 1125 1130 1135 Ser Leu Pro Gly Gln Leu Gly Ala Leu Thr Ser Gln Pro Leu His Arg 1140 1145 1150 His Gly Ser Asp Pro Gly Ser 1155 11 1284 PRT Drosophila melanogaster 11 Met Pro Ala Arg Lys Gly Leu Leu Ala Pro Gln Asn Thr Phe Leu Asp 1 5 10 15 Thr Ile Ala Thr Arg Phe Asp Gly Thr His Ser Asn Phe Val Leu Gly 20 25 30 Asn Ala Gln Ala Asn Gly Asn Pro Ile Val Tyr Cys Ser Asp Gly Phe 35 40 45 Val Asp Leu Thr Gly Tyr Ser Arg Ala Gln Ile Met Gln Lys Gly Cys 50 55 60 Ser Cys His Phe Leu Tyr Gly Pro Asp Thr Lys Glu Glu His Lys Gln 65 70 75 80 Gln Ile Glu Lys Ser Leu Ser Asn Lys Met Glu Leu Lys Leu Glu Val 85 90 95 Ile Phe Tyr Lys Lys Glu Gly Ala Pro Phe Trp Cys Leu Phe Asp Ile 100 105 110 Val Pro Ile Lys Asn Glu Lys Arg Asp Val Val Leu Phe Leu Ala Ser 115 120 125 His Lys Asp Ile Thr His Thr Lys Met Leu Glu Met Asn Val Asn Glu 130 135 140 Glu Cys Asp Ser Val Phe Ala Leu Thr Ala Ala Leu Leu Gly Ala Arg 145 150 155 160 Phe Arg Ala Gly Ser Asn Ala Gly Met Leu Gly Leu Gly Gly Leu Pro 165 170 175 Gly Leu Gly Gly Pro Ala Ala Ser Asp Gly Asp Thr Glu Ala Gly Glu 180 185 190 Gly Asn Asn Leu Asp Val Pro Ala Gly Cys Asn Met Gly Arg Arg Arg 195 200 205 Ser Arg Ala Val Leu Tyr Gln Leu Ser Gly His Tyr Lys Pro Glu Lys 210 215 220 Gly Gly Val Lys Thr Lys Leu Lys Leu Gly Asn Asn Phe Met His Ser 225 230 235 240 Thr Glu Ala Pro Phe Pro Glu Tyr Lys Thr Gln Ser Ile Lys Lys Ser 245 250 255 Arg Leu Ile Leu Pro His Tyr Gly Val Phe Lys Gly Ile Trp Asp Trp 260 265 270 Val Ile Leu Val Ala Thr Phe Tyr Val Ala Leu Met Val Pro Tyr Asn 275 280 285 Ala Ala Phe Ala Lys Ala Asp Arg Gln Thr Lys Val Ser Asp Val Ile 290 295 300 Val Glu Ala Leu Phe Ile Val Asp Ile Leu Leu Asn Phe Arg Thr Thr 305 310 315 320 Phe Val Ser Arg Lys Gly Glu Val Val Ser Asn Ser Lys Gln Ile Ala 325 330 335 Ile Asn Tyr Leu Arg Gly Trp Phe Ala Leu Asp Leu Leu Ala Ala Leu 340 345 350 Pro Phe Asp His Leu Tyr Ala Ser Asp Leu Tyr Asp Gly Glu Asp Ser 355 360 365 His Ile His Leu Val Lys Leu Thr Arg Leu Leu Arg Leu Ala Arg Leu 370 375 380 Leu Gln Lys Ile Asp Arg Tyr Ser Gln His Thr Ala Met Ile Leu Thr 385 390 395 400 Leu Leu Met Phe Ser Phe Thr Leu Ala Ala His Trp Leu Ala Cys Ile 405 410 415 Trp Tyr Val Ile Ala Val Lys Glu Tyr Glu Trp Phe Pro Glu Ser Asn 420 425 430 Ile Gly Trp Leu Gln Leu Leu Ala Glu Arg Lys Asn Ala Ser Val Ala 435 440 445 Ile Leu Thr Thr Ala Glu Thr Tyr Ser Thr Ala Leu Tyr Phe Thr Phe 450 455 460 Thr Ser Leu Thr Ser Val Gly Phe Gly Asn Val Ser Ala Asn Thr Thr 465 470 475 480 Ala Glu Lys Val Phe Thr Ile Ile Met Met Leu Ile Gly Ala Leu Met 485 490 495 His Ala Val Val Phe Gly Asn Val Thr Ala Ile Ile Gln Arg Met Tyr 500 505 510 Ser Arg Arg Ser Leu Tyr Glu Ser Lys Trp Arg Asp Leu Lys Asp Phe 515 520 525 Val Ala Leu His Asn Met Pro Lys Glu Leu Lys Gln Arg Ile Glu Asp 530 535 540 Tyr Phe Gln Thr Ser Trp Ser Leu Ser His Gly Ile Asp Ile Tyr Glu 545 550 555 560 Thr Leu Arg Glu Phe Pro Glu Glu Leu Arg Gly Asp Val Ser Met His 565 570 575 Leu His Arg Glu Ile Leu Gln Leu Pro Ile Phe Glu Ala Ala Ser Gln 580 585 590 Gly Cys Leu Lys Leu Leu Ser Leu His Ile Lys Thr Asn Phe Cys Ala 595 600 605 Pro Gly Glu Tyr Leu Ile His Lys Gly Asp Ala Leu Asn Tyr Ile Tyr 610 615 620 Tyr Leu Cys Asn Gly Ser Met Glu Val Ile Lys Asp Asp Met Val Val 625 630 635 640 Ala Ile Leu Gly Lys Gly Asp Leu Val Gly Ser Asp Ile Asn Val His 645 650 655 Leu Val Ala Thr Ser Asn Gly Gln Met Thr Ala Thr Thr Asn Ser Ala 660 665 670 Gly Gln Asp Val Val Val Arg Ser Ser Ser Asp Ile Lys Ala Leu Thr 675 680 685 Tyr Cys Asp Leu Lys Cys Ile His Met Gly Gly Leu Val Glu Val Leu 690 695 700 Arg Leu Tyr Pro Glu Tyr Gln Gln Gln Phe Ala Asn Asp Ile Gln His 705 710 715 720 Asp Leu Thr Cys Asn Leu Arg Glu Gly Tyr Glu Asn Gln Asp Ser Asp 725 730 735 Ile Gly Pro Ser Phe Pro Leu Pro Ser Ile Ser Glu Asp Asp Glu Asn 740 745 750 Arg Glu Glu Ala Glu Glu Gly Gly Lys Gly Glu Lys Glu Asn Gly Gly 755 760 765 Gly Pro Pro Ser Gly Ala Ser Pro Leu His Asn Ile Ser Asn Ser Pro 770 775 780 Leu His Ala Thr Arg Ser Pro Leu Leu Gly Met Gly Ser Pro Arg Asn 785 790 795 800 Gln Arg Leu His Gln Arg Gly Arg Ser Leu Ile Thr Leu Arg Glu Thr 805 810 815 Asn Lys Arg His Arg Thr Leu Asn Ala Ala Cys Ser Leu Asp Arg Gly 820 825 830 Ser Phe Glu Glu Pro Glu Pro Leu Glu Glu Glu Gln Ser Ser Gly Gly 835 840 845 Lys Arg Pro Ser Leu Glu Arg Leu Asp Ser Gln Val Ser Thr Leu His 850 855 860 Gln Asp Val Ala Gln Leu Ser Ala Glu Val Arg Asn Ala Ile Ser Ala 865 870 875 880 Leu Gln Glu Met Thr Phe Thr Ser Asn Ala Met Thr Ser His Ser Ser 885 890 895 Leu Lys Phe Pro Pro Ala Arg Ser Ile Pro Asn Ile Ser Gly Val Ala 900 905 910 Gly Thr Arg Ser Gly Val Ala Val Glu His Gly Leu Met Gly Gly Val 915 920 925 Leu Ala Ala Ala Glu Leu Ala Ala Met Gln Arg Ser Ser Ser His Pro 930 935 940 Pro Glu Val Trp Gly Arg Asp Val Gln Leu Pro Thr Ser Asn Thr Ala 945 950 955 960 Ser Ser Lys Ala Pro Ser Pro Val Glu Pro Lys Lys Thr Met Thr Ser 965 970 975 Arg Ser Ser Gln Thr Asp Phe Tyr Arg Ile Asp Phe Pro Thr Phe Glu 980 985 990 Arg Phe Val Leu Ala Asn Pro Arg Leu Val Leu Gly Leu Leu Gly Ile 995 1000 1005 Glu Pro Ala Ile Lys Asn Glu Met Asp Leu Leu Gln Gln Lys Gln Thr 1010 1015 1020 Leu Gln Ile Ser Pro Leu Asn Thr Ile Asp Glu Cys Val Ser Pro Ser 1025 1030 1035 1040 Asp His Asn Leu Ala Ser Ser Lys Glu Arg Leu Ile Thr Ser Ser Ala 1045 1050 1055 Val Pro Thr Pro Gly Arg Ile Tyr Pro Pro Leu Asp Asp Glu Asn Ser 1060 1065 1070 Asn Asp Phe Arg Trp Thr Met Lys His Ser Ala Ser His His Ser Cys 1075 1080 1085 Cys Lys Ser Thr Asp Ala Leu Leu Ser Pro Glu Glu Gln Pro Pro Ile 1090 1095 1100 Ser Ile Leu Pro Val Asp Ala Thr Pro Ala Pro Ser Val Gln Glu Val 1105 1110 1115 1120 Arg Ser Ser Lys Arg Ser Ile Arg Lys Ser Thr Ser Gly Ser Asn Ser 1125 1130 1135 Ser Leu Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Ser Asn Ser Cys Leu Val Ser Gln 1140 1145 1150 Ser Thr Gly Asn Leu Thr Thr Thr Asn Ala Ser Val His Cys Ser Asn 1155 1160 1165 Ser Ser Gln Ser Val Ala Ser Val Ala Thr Thr Arg Arg Ala Ser Trp 1170 1175 1180 Lys Leu Gln His Ser Arg Ser Gly Glu Tyr Arg Arg Leu Ser Glu Ala 1185 1190 1195 1200 Thr Ala Glu Tyr Ser Pro Pro Ala Lys Thr Pro Leu Pro Val Ala Gly 1205 1210 1215 Val Ser Tyr Gly Gly Asp Glu Glu Glu Ser Val Glu Leu Leu Gly Pro 1220 1225 1230 Arg Arg Asn Ser Arg Pro Ile Leu Leu Gly Val Ser Gln Asn Gln Gly 1235 1240 1245 Gln Gly Gln Ala Met Asn Phe Arg Phe Ser Ala Gly Asp Ala Asp Lys 1250 1255 1260 Leu Glu Lys Gly Leu Arg Gly Leu Pro Ser Thr Arg Ser Leu Arg Asp 1265 1270 1275 1280 Pro Ser Ser Lys 12 25 PRT Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial Sequence Consensus sequence for the p-loop 12 Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Thr Xaa Val Gly Xaa Gly 1 5 10 15 Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Thr Xaa Xaa Xaa 20 25 13 80 PRT Artificial Sequence Description of Artificial Sequence Consensus sequence for the cyclic nucleotide-binding domain 13 Xaa Xaa Xaa Gly Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Gly Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa 1 5 10 15 Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Gly Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa 20 25 30 Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Gly Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa 35 40 45 Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa 50 55 60 Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa 65 70 75 80 

What is claimed is:
 1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule selected from the group consisting of: a) a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence which is at least 60% homologous to the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9 the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______, or a complement thereof; b) a nucleic acid molecule comprising a fragment of at least 949 nucleotides of a nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9 the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______, or a complement thereof; c) a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least about 40% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8 or an amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number _______ or ______; d) a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a fragment of a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8 or the polypeptide encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______, wherein the fragment comprises at least 15 contiguous amino acid residues of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8 or the polypeptide encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______; and e) a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a naturally occurring allelic variant of a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8 or an amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______, wherein the nucleic acid molecule hybridizes to a nucleic acid molecule comprising SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, or SEQ ID NO:9, under stringent conditions.
 2. The isolated nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 which is selected from the group consisting of: a) a nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9 or the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______, or a complement thereof; and b) a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8 or an amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______.
 3. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 further comprising vector nucleic acid sequences.
 4. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 further comprising nucleic acid sequences encoding a heterologous polypeptide.
 5. A host cell which contains the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 1. 6. The host cell of claim 5 which is a mammalian host cell.
 7. A non-human mammalian host cell containing the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 1. 8. An isolated polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: a) a fragment of a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8 or the polypeptide encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______, wherein the fragment comprises at least 15 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8 or the amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______; b) a naturally occurring allelic variant of a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8 or an amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number _______ or ______, wherein the polypeptide is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule which hybridizes to a nucleic acid molecule comprising SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3 SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9 under stringent conditions; and c) a polypeptide which is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence which is at least 60% homologous to a nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9 or the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number _______ or ______. d) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence which is at least 40% homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8, or the polypeptide encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______.
 9. The isolated polypeptide of claim 8 comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8 or an amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______.
 10. The polypeptide of claim 8 further comprising heterologous amino acid sequences.
 11. An antibody which selectively binds to a polypeptide of claim
 8. 12. A method for producing a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: a) a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8 or an amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______; b) a fragment of a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8 or an amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______ wherein the fragment comprises at least 15 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8 or the amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______; and c) a naturally occurring allelic variant of a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:5, or SEQ ID NO:8 or an amino acid sequence encoded by the DNA insert of the plasmid deposited with ATCC as Accession Number ______ or ______, wherein the polypeptide is encoded by a nucleic acid molecule which hybridizes to a nucleic acid molecule comprising SEQ ID NO: I SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9 under stringent conditions; comprising culturing the host cell of claim 5 under conditions in which the nucleic acid molecule is expressed.
 13. A method for detecting the presence of a polypeptide of claim 8 in a sample comprising: a) contacting the sample with a compound which selectively binds to the polypeptide; and b) determining whether the compound binds to the polypeptide in the sample to thereby detect the presence of a polypeptide of claim 8 in the sample.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the compound which binds to the polypeptide is an antibody.
 15. A kit comprising a compound which selectively binds to a polypeptide of claim 8 and instructions for use.
 16. A method for detecting the presence of a nucleic acid molecule in claim 1 in a sample comprising: a) contacting the sample with a nucleic acid probe or primer which selectively hybridizes to the nucleic acid molecule; and b) determining whether the nucleic acid probe or primer binds to a nucleic acid molecule in the sample to thereby detect the presence of a nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 in the sample.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the sample comprises mRNA molecules and is contacted with a nucleic acid probe.
 18. A kit comprising a compound which selectively hybridizes to a nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 and instructions for use.
 19. A method for identifying a compound which binds to a polypeptide of claim 8 comprising: a) contacting the polypeptide, or a cell expressing the polypeptide with a test compound; and b) determining whether the polypeptide binds to the test compound.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the binding of the test compound to the polypeptide is detected by a method selected from the group consisting of: a) detection of binding by direct detection of test compound/polypeptide binding; b) detection of binding using a competition binding assay; and c) detection of binding using an assay for ERG-LP activity.
 21. A method for modulating the activity of a polypeptide of claim 8 comprising contacting the polypeptide or a cell expressing the polypeptide with a compound which binds to the polypeptide in a sufficient concentration to modulate the activity of the polypeptide.
 22. A method for identifying a compound which modulates the activity of a polypeptide of claim 8 comprising: a) contacting a polypeptide of claim 8 with a test compound; and b) determining the effect of the test compound on the activity of the polypeptide to thereby identify a compound which modulates the activity of the polypeptide. 